By HEIDI GOFF
Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery Manager

WAKEENEY–This year marks the 25th anniversary of Worcester Wreath Company, Harrington, Maine, donating wreaths to adorn the headstones of our nation’s veterans at Arlington National Cemetery. In addition to wreaths destined for Virginia, Worcester Wreath will again donate seven ceremonial wreaths to more than 1,100 local, state, national and foreign cemeteries.

The 11th annual Wreaths Across America ceremony at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery in WaKeeney will be held Sat., Dec. 17 at 11 a.m.

We are not here to “decorate graves.” We’re here to remember not their deaths, but their lives.

—Karen Worcester, Executive Director of Wreaths Across America

Donations are being accepted for the wreathes placed on individual graves. Each wreath is $15. Checks should be made payable to Wreaths Across America and mailed to Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery, P.O. Box 185, WaKeeney, KS 67672. Donations will be accepted through Fri., Nov. 18.

We would like to thank all those who have so generously donated money to purchase wreaths for individual graves.

Last year our cemetery received enough donations to place a wreath on every grave. Our goal this yer is 390 wreaths.

The specially-made wreaths for Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and POW/MIA veterans will be placed during the Dec. 17 ceremony.

Family members have the opportunity following the ceremony to place a wreath on their loved one’s grave. If family members are unable to attend, the American Legion Riders and other volunteers will place the wreaths on those graves.

For more information, call Cemetery Manager Heidi Goff at (785) 743-5685.