News Release

Record Number of Wreaths for Event at Andersonville National Cemetery

Date: December 18, 2017
Contact: Charles Barr, 229-924-0343 ext. 112

Release Date: 18 December 2017

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

NR17-10   

Record Number of Wreaths for Event at Andersonville National Cemetery

Over 3,000 wreaths placed on veterans graves at Andersonville National Cemetery

ANDERSONVILLE, Georgia – The Wreaths Across America event held at Andersonville National Historic Site this past Saturday was a tremendous success! With the help of Wreaths Across America, the Civil Air Patrol, Bennett Motor Express LLC, John Christner Trucking Inc., and hundreds of park supporters, the park received a record 3,654 wreaths this year!

Bennett Motor Express LLC and John Christner Trucking Inc. donated their services to transport sponsored wreaths to the park all the way from Maine. After delivering the wreaths on Friday, the truck drivers stayed an extra day to come back and help place the wreaths on Saturday.

Over 250 visitors paused during the busy holiday season to gather at Andersonville National Cemetery and honor the military men and women who have fought and died for our freedom. Park Superintendent Charles Sellars and Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kelly of the Civil Air Patrol spoke during a brief ceremony. Lieutenant Colonel Kelly encouraged those placing wreaths to speak the name of each fallen veteran as a way to keep their memory alive. Superintendent Sellars shared the amazing story of Private Harold S. Hirschi, a soldier and prisoner of war who was buried at Andersonville National Cemetery this year, 75 years after his death.

Private Hirschi served in World War II. He was captured by the Japanese in 1942 in the Philippines, and survived the Bataan Death March. He died as a prisoner of war at Cabanautan prison camp and was buried in a mass grave with 13 other prisoners. In 2017, 75 years after his death, Private Hirschi’s remains were returned to his family. He was laid to rest with full military honors in Andersonville National Cemetery on June 28^th, 2017. On Saturday, Private Hirschi was one of those honored with a wreath in remembrance of his service and sacrifice.

The over 3,000 wreaths placed this year present a beautiful and awe-inspiring sight for visitors to Andersonville National Cemetery. Our goal is to ensure that, over time, each of the more than 20,000 gravesites in the cemetery is decorated with a wreath at least once.

Throughout the month of December, wreaths may be placed on graves by visitors or delivered directly to a specific gravesite by a local florist. To find the location of a specific grave, please visit http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov or contact the National Prisoner of War Museum for assistance.

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 site 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 9:30 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

NPS

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