Veterans Honored As Long Valley Plans Annual Wreaths Across America

LONG VALLEY, NJ — Veterans who are eternally resting in Long Valley cemeteries will be honored once more this winter during the annual Wreaths Across America program.

According to event organizers, this year's Long Valley Remembers Wreaths Across America Memorial Service will be held on Dec. 16 at 12 p.m. at St. Mark the Evangelist RC Church, which is located at 59 Spring Lane.

Following the ceremony, participants and volunteers are invited to lay wreaths on veterans' graves marked by American flags at the following cemetery

• Our Lady of the Mountain Catholic Church, 2 E Springtown Rd.: 400 graves

"At 1 p.m., we will then gather at the various Washington Township cemeteries for the laying of Remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country's fallen heroes and the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud," event organizers said.

In past years, the event has been assisted by local veterans from the American Veterans Association of Washington Township or “AVAWT” Post 1776 and the Long Valley Knights of Columbus.

The AVAWT frequently speaks to local school classrooms about their firsthand military experiences from WWII to the present. The club said they are dedicated to upholding and supporting the community's quality of life by making philanthropic gifts to needy residents and students.

The club meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Long Valley Senior Center, 34 East Springtown Road, Long Valley.

The organization is currently looking for sponsors to help them reach their final goal for the year, as they currently have 274 wreaths available for Washington Township's 400 veteran graves.

For more information on how to donate or sponsor a wreath, visit the website for Wreaths Across America.