Saturday, January 17 at 8am has been set as the Wreath Retirement Day for Wreaths Across America - Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery wreath removal at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. Per the cemetery floral policy, winter decorations must be removed in January. There is an 8am start time, but anyone is welcome to join when they are able. The event takes place rain, shine, snow, or cold. The event ends when the wreaths and other winter decorations are all cleared from every area of the cemetery.
Organizers are looking for helpers to pull wreaths from the headstones and columbariums to the road and others with pickup trucks or trailers. Wreaths are pulled from their placements, dropped at the roadside (inside the cemetery), loaded into pickup beds, and then transferred into dumpsters that are stationed around the cemetery. This is a great community service project and community service hours will be validated for those participating. Some helpful tools to bring along: A long pole/broom handle to string wreaths on (easier for carrying multiple wreaths to the roadside), a plastic sled if there's snow (to pile wreaths onto and pull to the roadside), a tarp (load and drag to the roadside).
*Helpful tips: If it's wet, wear rainboots. Some areas of the cemetery are softer than others, especially after rain or snowmelt. Wear old clothes and gloves. You will end up with some pine sap on you from handling the greenery, so don't wear your Sunday best.
Anyone with questions or wanting to help can contact Michele Barnett, Location Coordinator at alincolnwaa@gmail.com, message through the Facebook page Wreaths Across America - Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, or just show up and start pitching in.