The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Sunday, December is the nation's Wreath Across America. According to their website, "Wreaths Across America (WAA) was started in 2006 to expand students and community education by putting veterans together with children through the mission statement "Remember, Honor, Teach." (Remember the fallen; Honor those who served; and Teach our children the value of freedom.)." On December 18th, wreaths are placed on the graves of veterans.

In Chouteau County, Geraldine had 14, Carter 11, Big Sandy 55, and Fort Benton 413. The money is raised in October. American Legion and the VFW sponsor it. Each wreath costs $15.

Each state capital has a program starting the day of remembrance. There is just something extraordinary about seeing the green wreath on all the graves.

In Big Sandy, Jay Worrall was responsible for placing the wreaths on the graves. He said that Shane Ophus helped him. And although they had the information now collected by Rotary, it was challenging to find some of the graves. Jay said he had a shovel off the snow and then used a broom to make sure he had the right spot.

He found me at the basketball game to hand me Angus Merrill's wreath. Jay also sent a wreath out to Kenilworth for Glen and Vickie Kulbeck. He was just finishing up. It was cold that day with a bitter wind. Jay also placed the wreaths at the Carter cemetery, but there wasn't much snow there.

Diana Jones of Fort Benton is in charge of the Wreath Across America. Next year she hopes to inform Big Sandy better so that we can get more wreaths at our cemetery. Diana wants to start the campaign in September. She'd like to include the Big Sandy American Legion as well.