By: Ryan Duey
Photos Courtesy of WAA
The Clay County Nathan Edson Chapter DAR is preparing for its 9th annual Wreaths Across America (WAA) Ceremony. This year’s ceremony will take place at Greenwood Cemetery in Clay Center on Saturday, December 13th, at 11:00 a.m.
Jeanna Walters-Fancella, Location Coordinator, said the morning will begin with an opening ceremony, followed by the laying of the wreaths on veterans’ graves. WAA is meant to be a time to remember all veterans buried in the cemetery.
“Many of the veterans who are buried in our cemetery don’t have any loved ones that live close by, and maybe their names have not even been said aloud in years, sometimes decades.”
“Wreaths Across America is an opportunity for every person in the community to take a wreath, lay it at a veteran’s grave, and say their name aloud to keep that veteran’s memory alive.”
Every year, over two million volunteers from across the nation gather to remember and honor those who have served our country. Fancella said Clay Center is one of 69 locations in Kansas holding a WAA Ceremony this year.
“We will be placing 1,182 remembrance wreaths at Greenwood Cemetery this year, that’s how many veterans we have buried there.”
“Greenwood Cemetery will be one of 69 locations in Kansas this year, and so we will have over 44,000 veterans remembered in our state this year.”
The ceremony is open to the public, and the community is encouraged to meet at the cemetery at 11:00 a.m. to help lay wreaths in honor of the many veterans laid to rest in Clay Center.
