O’Fallon Rotary Club again organizes Wreaths Across America effort honoring veterans
The mission of Wreaths Across America’s national event — “Remember Honor Teach” — continued when 778 wreaths were placed in three O’Fallon and three Shiloh cemeteries Saturday, Dec. 18.
For the fourth consecutive year, the O’Fallon Rotary Club organized the local remembrance of the sacrifice of deceased veterans.
“We have a wonderful community,” said Rotarian John “Woody” Almind, a retired Air Force colonel who has chaired the event since 2018.
He said he is grateful for all the help on behalf of the veterans. Community financial and volunteer support, the O’Fallon VFW Post 805, Daughters of the Revolution’s Looking Glass Prairie and Belleville chapters, and volunteers from local scouts and high school students again came together to assist the Rotary.
“It was a total success,” Almind declared Saturday.
Cemeteries included O’Fallon City, Keppler’s (aka St. Joseph Burial Association), Rock Spring, Mount Calvary Catholic (St. Clare), Shiloh and Engelmann cemeteries.
Those placing wreaths included Boy Scout troops 35, 85, 94; Girl Scout troops 63, 483, 23, 94, 298, 884, 132, 513 and 641; Cub Scout troops 94, 35 and 47; Brownie troop 268; Daisy troop 216; American Heritage Girl troop, and O’Fallon Township High School’s JROTC and Interact Club.
Since 2018, the O’Fallon Rotary has joined other service, educational and community groups throughout the country to honor deceased veterans by placing Christmas wreaths at gravesites.
National “Wreaths Across America” Day has been observed in cemeteries annually the last 27 years in December.
“Wreaths Across America strives to remember our fallen heroes, honor those who serve, and teach our children about the selfless sacrifices made by veterans and their families to preserve our freedom,” Almind said.
He announced next year’s ceremony would be the third Saturday in December — Dec. 17.
“Wreaths Across America is committed to teaching younger generations the value of their freedoms, and the importance of honoring those who sacrificed so much to protect those freedoms,” Almind said.
