ELMIRA, NY (WENY) -- In just a couple of weeks, national cemeteries across the country will be filled with volunteers, placing evergreen wreaths at the grave sites of service members.
In the Southern Tier, events are being held at Woodlawn National Cemetery, and Bath National Cemetery on December 14th, for Wreaths Across America day.
There is still time to sponsor a wreath for the annual event. Wreaths are $17 each, and will be placed at each grave site to honor the veteran who is laid to rest there.
So far in Elmira, there are close to 4,500 wreaths sponsored, but another 3,600 before there are enough to lay one at each grave site.
"It brings a lump in your throat, every time you set a wreath, render a salute, read the name, and step away. And when it's all filled, and you step back and see all that red and green against those white marble stones, it's a fantastic sight. That's Christmas to me, that day," said Larry Sherman, President of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 803, the sponsor of the Elmira event.
The VVA 803 Honor Guard, along with the EJ Brewer Detachment of the Marine Corps League will hold a brief military service at 9AM on December 14th, before the wreath laying begins. A wreath will also be placed in the cemetery for each branch of the Armed Services.
Volunteers are needed to help place the wreaths. There is no need to sign up in advance; just arrive prior to 9AM on December 14th. Volunteers will also be needed to help pick up the wreaths for removal sometime in January.
To sponsor a wreath, visit https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/, and select your location.