Wreaths Across America Event Coming Soon To Long Valley

LONG VALLEY, NJ — It’s a yearly tradition to place wreaths at the foot of the graves of those who served and have their final resting place in Long Valley, as part of “Wreaths Across America,” with the chance to honor those who served from Washington Township.

Washington Township’s goal is to place 365 wreaths on the graves of its veterans, said Mayor Matt Murello.

On National Wreaths Across America Day, Saturday, Dec. 18, Murello said that local veterans, police, township officials and residents are welcome to St. Mark’s Parish Hall on 59 Spring Lane at noon, for a ceremony.

“Afterwards,” Murello said, “we will disperse to the various Township cemeteries at 1 p.m. to Remember and Honor our veterans by laying Remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country's fallen heroes.”

In Long Valley, he said, Sara Guida started the ceremony tradition in 2016 for her Girl Scout Gold Award project, which is continued each year with the Knights of Columbus.

Wreaths Across America was founded in Arlington National Cemetery, at first quietly, but in 2005 was recognized after a photo with the wreaths adorning snow-coated graves in the cemetery went viral, according to the organization’s website. It was Congress that voted to establish Wreaths Across America Day, when hundreds of thousands of wreaths in thousands of cemeteries are placed, to honor those who served in the United States' military.

Visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org to sponsor a wreath and for more information.

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