News Release

Post Wreaths Across America 2015 at Andersonville National Cemetery

Date: December 24, 2015
Contact: Charles Barr, 229-924-0343 ext. 112

Release Date: 24 December 2015

Contacts:    Charles Barr, [e-mail], 229-924-0343, ext. 112

NR15-13                      

Wreaths Across America at Andersonville National Cemetery

Annual ceremony occurred on Saturday, December 12, 2015

ANDERSONVILLE, Georgia – On December 12^th, over 750 wreaths were placed on the graves of military veterans and family members buried at Andersonville National Cemetery during our annual Wreaths Across America event. Wreaths Across America, a non-profit partner, sent the park 675 wreaths for placement. Over a hundred more were brought by visitors and local florists.

Depending on the number of wreaths received, only a small portion of the nearly 21,000 graves in the national cemetery can be decorated. Each year wreaths are placed in a different section so that, over time, each grave in the cemetery will be decorated at least once. This year wreaths were placed on the last row of section B, all of section C, and over half of section R.

The event, attended by about 175 visitors, included a brief ceremony conducted by the Civil Air Patrol to honor America's armed forces. Visitors were encouraged to bring a wreath for placement after the ceremony.

Since this event began three years ago, the number of wreaths sponsored has increased each year. The goal of Andersonville National Historic Site is to place a wreath on the grave of every veteran and family member buried at Andersonville National Cemetery.

“The laying of a wreath at the grave of a friend, family member, or stranger is a simple expression of gratitude,” said Charles Sellars, Superintendent of Andersonville National Historic Site. “At this busy time of year, the wreath ceremony helps us pause to remember the many sacrifices of these men and women who chose to serve their country.” 

Wreaths can be placed at the national cemetery throughout the month of December and can be purchased from local florists or home improvement stores. Beginning December 1, 2015, wreaths and floral blankets no larger than 2 feet by 3 feet are permitted. Wreaths should be brought in person or delivered by a florist directly to the gravesite. To find the location of a specific grave, please visit gravelocator.cem.va.gov or stop at the National Prisoner of War Museum at Andersonville National Historic Site for assistance.

To sponsor one or more wreaths for next year and help us reach our goal of a wreath on every veteran’s grave, or to learn more about the non-profit Wreaths Across America, visit wreathsacrossamerica.org. If sponsoring a wreath, please be sure to specify Andersonville National Cemetery to ensure your wreath arrives at its intended location.

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 in 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 about the park, call 229 924-0343 or visit the park’s website (nps.gov/ande/), Facebook page (facebook.com/AndersonvilleNPS), or Twitter feed (twitter.com/andeNHS).

NPS

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