Seasonal Decorations at the Andersonville National Cemetery

Date: September 30, 2014
Contact: Stephanie Steinhorst , 229 924-0343, ext. 203
Contact: Kim Robins, 229 924-0343, ext. 112

ANDERSONVILLE, Georgia – As the changing color of the leaves outside denote 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 coming of autumn and 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 acting superintendent Eric Leonard, "we hope that families take advantage of this time to remember."

Upcoming events include a special Living History Weekend October 25-26, First Saturday Programs on November 1, the popular "Night Museum" program on Saturday, November 15, and the annual Wreaths Across America service on December 13.

The Wreaths Across America program in December offers a unique 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, or contact your local florist to order an appropriate floral decoration. Wreaths should be brought to the gravesite in person or delivered by a florist beginning December 1st. To find the location of a specific grave, please visit gravelocator.cem.va.gov

The Civil Air Patrol will conduct the annual Wreaths Across America ceremony honoring America's armed forces in the Andersonville National Cemetery on Saturday, December 13, 2014 at 12:00 noon.

Andersonville National Historic Site is located 10 miles south of Oglethorpe, GA and 10 miles northeast of Americus, GA on Georgia Highway 49. The national park 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 the only national park within the National Park System to serve as a memorial to all American prisoners of war. Park grounds are open from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The National Prisoner of War Museum is open 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., daily. Admission is free. For more information on the park, call 229 924-0343, or visit at www.nps.gov/ande/ Visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AndersonvilleNPS, Twitter www.twitter.com/andeNHS

www.nps.gov

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 401 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.