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Seasonal Decorations at the Andersonville National Cemetery October 2011

Artificial flowers in front of a grave.
During colder months, from October 10 to April 15, artificial flowers are permitted to decorate graves.
NPS/Eric Leonard

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Date: October 28, 2011
Contact: Eric Leonard, 229 924-0343, ext. 201
Contact: Kim Douglas, 229 924-0343

ANDERSONVILLE, Georgia - As the changing color of the leaves outside denotes the arrival of cooler weather, the staff at Andersonville National Cemetery would like to remind the public of the following seasonal changes to the floral decoration policy.

  • Fresh-cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time.
  • During colder months, from October 10 to April 15, artificial flowers and wreaths are permitted.
  • Plantings, statues, vigil lights, or other decorations are not permitted at any time.
  • Christmas wreaths and floral blankets no larger than 2 by 3 feet are permitted from December 1 to January 20. After this time seasonal decorations will be removed and discarded.
  • All flowers will be removed when they become faded or unsightly, at the discretion of cemetery staff.

"The holiday season allows unique opportunities to mark the graves of loved ones and our nation's honored veterans who are laid to rest in the National Cemetery," remarked superintendent Brad Bennett, "we hope that families take advantage of this time to remember."

The Wreaths Across America program offers one way in which families and members of the public may decorate graves and honor the fallen. You can learn more about the program and purchase wreaths online at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

Andersonville National Historic Site is located 10 miles south of Oglethorpe, GA and 10 miles northeast of Americus, GA on Georgia Highway 49. The site features the National Prisoner of War Museum, Andersonville National Cemetery and the site of the historic Civil War prison, Camp Sumter. ­Andersonville National Historic Site is a unit of the National Park System and serves as a memorial to all American prisoners of war. Park grounds are open from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm with the museum opening at 8:30 am. Admission is free. For more information on the park, call 229 924-0343, visit on the web at www.nps.gov/ande/, or find us on Facebook at facebook.com/AndersonvilleNPS

 

Resources:
News Release [62KB PDF file]

Did You Know?

The HMS Jersey in 1782

Around 30,000 Americans were kept as prisoners of war in and around New York City during the Revolutionary War. Most of these prisoners were held in warehouses, churches, and on ships in nearby harbors. An estimated 18,000 (60%) died as prisoners from 1775 to 1783. Of those, over 10,000 are thought to have perished on prison ships, most notably the Whitby and the Jersey.