St. Joseph Church in Lucinda will join Wreaths Across America

From staff reports

A Clarion County church will join the national Wreaths Across America program to honor fallen military veterans.

St. Joseph Church in Lucinda will sponsor a wreath laying ceremony at its cemetery, the final resting place of 172 local military veterans, according to Ashley Ahrens, local coordinator for WAA.

The WAA program requires each location to raise the funds to pay for the full cost of the ceremonial wreaths. The Fryburg Junior Marksmen, a local junior rifle team founded by Ahrens, will be responsible for raising the funds for the 180 wreaths, she said.

Ahrens said that the local program also needs volunteers to lay the wreaths on the day of the ceremony, which is scheduled for Dec. 14. The ceremony will includes traditional color guard, singing of the national anthem and speeches from local government officials.

Wreaths Across America began in 1992 with the purpose of honoring the country’s fallen military veterans at Arlington National Cemetery. The Worchester family placed one pine wreath on the headstone of each solider during an annual wreath laying ceremony in December. It was launched into a nationwide non-profit in 2007.

People who are interested in sponsoring wreaths or volunteering for the day of the ceremony may call Ahrens at (814) 493-5482.