Wreaths Laid In Memorial In Long Valley

LONG VALLEY, NJ - For the fifth time in as many years, Long Valley participated in the Wreaths Across America event, that originally organized as a Girl Scout Gold Award Project by Sarah Guida and has been continued by Mike Lennon of the Long Valley Knights of Columbus and the veterans of Post 1776.

On National Wreaths Across America Day at 2,557 participating locations, dedicated Americans in every state honored our nation’s heroes by safely placing a total of 1.7 million veterans’ wreaths on their headstones and remembering them, by saying each name out loud.

“The 2020 theme for Wreaths Across America has been ‘Be an American worth fighting for,’ and this year I have been blessed to see my fair share,” said Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America. “The determination of the American people and their commitment to the mission to Remember, Honor, Teach, made it possible for us to move forward this year, safely. We are humbled, and forever grateful for the outpouring of support from all across the country.”

Wreaths Across America would like to thank the dedicated volunteers in every state for overcoming the many obstacles presented and remaining focused on the mission over the last year. From the individual Location Coordinators working with local officials on modified wreath placement plans, to the professional truck drivers who have been keeping this country moving but found time to help deliver these truckloads of respect, each person has played an important a part in the mission to Remember the fallen, Honor those that serve and their families, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom.

Each live, balsam veteran’s wreath is a gift of respect and appreciation, donated by a private citizen or organization, and it is placed on graves by volunteers as a small gesture of gratitude for the freedoms Americans enjoy.

Last weekend's event featured a ceremony at Our Lady of the Mountain Church before the laying of the wreaths.

"It was my honor this morning to participate in the presentation of the memorial wreaths in honor of our Township’s fallen veterans. I was so proud of my son Nicholas bugling Taps," Mayor Matt Murello said. "We then laid wreaths at the graves of 363 veterans that we have lost in town."

For centuries, fresh evergreens have been used as a symbol of honor and have served as a living tribute renewed annually. Wreaths Across America believes the tradition represents a living memorial that honors veterans, active duty military and their families and when volunteers say the name of a veteran out loud, when placing a wreath, it ensures they live on in our memory. For more information, visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

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