Susan Harris at the wreath-laying ceremony
The Chickamauga Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the oldest DAR chapter in the area, donated 87 wreaths to the non-profit Wreaths Across America for placement on the graves of veterans buried in the Chattanooga National Cemetery.
The annual wreath-laying ceremony was held Saturday. Chapter members participated in the ceremony to remember fallen veterans’ lives and to honor all who serve in America’s armed forces.
Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, wreath-laying ceremonies are held at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as over 1,200 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea, and abroad. This year over 1.5 million wreaths were donated for Arlington National Cemetery, for the first time enabling every gravesite to be covered.
“Last year our chapter provided 60 wreaths to Chattanooga National Cemetery," said Joye Duke, Chickamauga Chapter regent. "The fact that we are able to provide more each year indicates how much this national effort to remember our veterans and their families during the holidays has grown. We’re confident that donors and volunteers will continue to support this important remembrance locally as well as nationally.”
The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a society of women who are direct descendants of Revolutionary War patriots, supports historic preservation, education and patriotism. So far in 2017 DAR members worldwide have volunteered 2.2 million hours in service to America.