Gaylene A. Miller, AARP WV State Director, gave the opening remarks at the Wreaths Across America ceremony.

A mood of solemn reverence hung over Haven of Rest Memorial Gardens this past Saturday as volunteers laid wreaths upon the graves of the veterans who are interred there. Once each wreath was secured, volunteers spoke the name of the veteran who they had just honored and thanked them for their service.

Every year on December 13, the graves of veterans all around the country are decorated with evergreen wreaths adorned with red bows. Before the first wreath was laid at Haven of Rest, a brief ceremony led by William White, Retired Navy, was held in front of the mausoleum. Nitro High School Junior ROTC presented the colors; Susan Paxton sang the National Anthem; and Girl Scout Troop 31780 led the Pledge of Allegiance. The main speaker was William “Wimpy” Jones, Mayor of Poca. The ceremony concluded with a 21-gun salute performed by American Legion James Marshall Post 187, and the playing of taps.

“Each wreath placed here represents a life of courage, commitment, and love of our country,” said Poca Mayor Jones. “We remember those who have fallen, honor those who have served, and teach future generations what it is like to be in the military.”

The tradition which became known as Wreaths Across America was started in 1992 by the Worcester Wreath company of Maine. Faced with an unexpected surplus of holiday wreaths, company founder Morrill Worcester donated 5,000 wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Worchester Wreath continued to make yearly donations to the cemetery, and by 2006, the company was supplying wreaths to more than 230 cemeteries around the country.