Wreaths Across America (WAA) will be celebrated this year on Saturday, December 16. WAA is a national day of remembrance as wreaths are placed on the graves of veterans. The Shelby Sons of the American Legion (SAL) Squadron#82, along with the other American Legion Family of organizations, are taking orders to purchase wreaths and to recruit volunteers to place the wreaths on the graves of veterans at Sunset and Webb Memorial Cemeteries on December 16.

Wreaths Across America was started in 2007 as a non-profit organization to promote placing wreaths on the graves of veterans. In 1992, the Morrill Worcester family of Worcester Wreaths started the tradition of placing wreaths on graves when they donated thousands of wreaths for graves at Arlington National Cemetery. Today, wreaths are placed on graves at over 2,500 locations. You may have a wreath placed on the grave of a loved one at Sunset or Webb Memorial Cemeteries by ordering on line at http://WreathsacrossAmerica.org/NC0376P or you may send an email to Wreaths4Shelby@gmail.com to get an order form.

Zach Parker, Shelby SAL Squadron 82 Commander, is coordinating the efforts and said this year's goal is to place 600 wreaths on graves. Each wreath sponsorship costs $17 with $5 going back to the Shelby American Legion Family. Each sponsorship goes toward a fresh balsam wreath that will be placed on the grave of an American hero. The SAL will also take requests to honor specific veterans at Sunset and Webb, or "to go" orders if you wish to take a wreath to a veteran at another Cemetery. Those orders for a specific veteran or to be taken to another cemetery should be made by contacting our email address for an order form. Orders need to be received by November 28. If you have any questions, please email: Wreaths4Shelby@gmail.com.

Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland County, 412 West Sumter St., Shelby, there will be a ceremony by the American Legion Family of organizations and then the wreaths will be distributed to be placed on graves at Sunset or Webb Memorial Cemeteries. If you are interested in helping with the laying of wreaths, please contact SAL Adjutant Dr. Jack Weller at 704-473-5282 or send an email to Wreaths4Shelby@gmail.com