More than 250 volunteers showed up on Dec. 16 to help remember veterans who rest in Oak Hill Cemetery.
The annual event, organized by the local Gen. Daniel Newnan Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, oversaw the placement of more than 1,000 wreaths on veterans’ graves at Oak Hill Cemetery.
With the help of the General Daniel Newnan Chapter and many other organizations and individuals, Newnan was one of more than 3,400 locations participating in the event throughout the U.S. in all 50 states, at sea and abroad.
This year’s turnout for volunteers and wreaths appears to have doubled since last year, according to Regent Tammy D. Hyder of the General Daniel Newnan NSDAR.
Last week, the group had only assembled 577 wreaths for the event, which is only half of the number of veterans buried at Oak Hill Cemetery.
But a last-minute “miracle” resulted in the donation of 36 extra boxes of wreaths, taking the total number up to 1,020 wreaths.
There are an estimated 1,063 veterans buried at Oak Hill, but wreaths are not laid on graves with a Star of David, as Jewish custom asks that flowers or wreaths not be placed on graves.
Luckily, the number of expected volunteers also doubled, Hyder said.
“Because of the generosity of so many, we have reached our goal and every veteran buried at Oak Hill will be remembered and honored,” Hyder said.
The ceremony began at 10:30 a.m. with Hyder thanking those who showed up. Volunteers are asked to lay a wreath on the grave of a veteran, say their name aloud and take a small moment to thank them for their service to our country.
“Remember, we are not here today to decorate graves but to remember their lives,” she said. “It’s a small act that goes a long way toward keeping the memory of our veterans alive.”
After a prayer, pledge and the recitation of proclamations from both city and county…
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