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Contact: Brian McCutchen, 931-627-2887
DOVER, TN – On Saturday, December 16. members of the Stewart County community, as well as attendees from well outside of the local area, will gather at Fort Donelson National Cemetery to pay honor as part of Wreaths Across America Day – the purpose of the national program being to “Remember the Fallen; Honor those who Serve; and to Teach our children of the value of Freedom.” The theme for the 2023 endeavor is, “Serve and Succeed.” The commemorative event will begin at Noon on Saturday, December 16, inside the main entrance of the national cemetery. Attendees are encouraged to arrive at least fifteen minutes early. Individuals that sponsored a wreath for a specific grave marker of a loved one, are asked to be on site at 11:30 AM to pick up the wreath prior to the Wreath laying ceremony. Offered through collaboration of the Fort Donelson National Cemetery, a unit of the National Park Service, and the Douglas M. Lyons, Dover Post 72, American Legion, the local Post will place specially designated wreaths for the respective branches of the nation’s armed forces, and POW/MIAs. Wreaths delivered for the 2023 Wreaths Across America undertaking will decorate grave markers throughout the national cemetery, honoring veterans buried at the national cemetery from the Civil War forward. In 2022, more than 200 volunteers assembled to place wreaths on each of the 1,717 grave markers at the Fort Donelson National Cemetery; provided through the Wreaths Across America campaign. It has been verified that for 2023, each marker will, again, be adorned with a wreath. On the day of the event, parking for those with handicap parking/accessibility needs, or for those attending only the program portion of the event, will be in the national cemetery parking lot, located at 174 National Cemetery Drive, Dover. After the conclusion of the Ceremony, the American Legion Post 72 will be providing a hot/cold beverage and light snacks at the W.D. Sykes Museum, 178 Cedar Street, Dover. While at the museum, attendees of the social are encouraged to view the numerous, wonderfully themed Christmas trees on display throughout the historic home. There is no fee to tour the museum.
Safety is the number one priority at Fort Donelson. As there are no available heated facilities in the national cemetery, attendees are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather conditions of the day, wear comfortable footwear, and have water and a snack, if desired. In case of inclement weather and event status, please check the park’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/fortdonelsonnps, or by calling the park’s event/weather line at 931-232-0827. For general park inquiries, please contact the Ranger staff at 931-232-5706 x 0.
Last updated: December 6, 2023