National wreaths program enters second year at Medical Lake Veterans Cemetery

By JAMES EIK

Staff Reporter

Dec. 10, the second Saturday of the month, will mark the 20th anniversary of the Wreaths Across America program.

This will be the second year that the Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake participates in the event, which has seen incredible growth since 2006. It was then that photos of wreaths placed at Arlington National Cemetery began to make an impact across the nation. The Worcester Wreath Company in Maine started the tradition back in 1991.

Julie Pittmann, one of the local organizers for the event, said that the ultimate goal is to have every veteran receive a wreath. She said the outpouring of interest following 2006 was inspiring.

“People said ‘we want to help,'” she said.

Now, the event takes place at 700 locations across the U.S. and 24 abroad. Over 500,000 wreaths adorn the resting places of veterans from Pearl Harbor to national cemeteries in France and Germany.

Three years ago, only 300 locations participated in the event, and in one year's time the number of wreaths has doubled.

“From 20 years ago, the growth has been amazing,” Pittman said.

Pittmann said a trucking company donates their time to deliver the wreaths across the country, escorted by Patriot Guard Riders. In all, the Veterans Honor Parade route from Harrington, Maine, where the wreaths are made, to Arlington National Cemetery proves to be the largest veterans parade in the world.

“It's an inspiring way to start the holiday season,” she said.

Last year, an older couple from the Tri Cities area attended the event, after finding a relative at the cemetery. As they placed a wreath on the headstone, even the winter weather couldn't prevent emotions from coming to the surface.

“There wasn't a dry eye in that place,” Pittmann said.

The Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake has 550 location graves, according to the program's website. Some of those, however, include veterans in the cemetery's columbarium. Pittmann said over 200 wreaths had been purchased for this year's program, enough to cover graves and other locations at the cemetery.

“That will cover every headstone that is at the front of the cemetery, it will cover several of the rows in the back, behind the committal shelter,” she said. The columbarium and scattering gardens will also receive wreaths.

“Every veteran that is buried there will either receive a wreath in their area or at their headstone,” she said.

Cemetery director Richard Cesler and staff help organize the event and build stands for the wreaths.

“It's thanks to the cemetery that we can make this happen,” Pittmann said.

Always open to the public, this year's program takes place at the Veterans Cemetery Dec. 10, at noon. The committal shelter is not heated, and Pittmann suggests dressing for the weather.

Valley Fourth Memorial Church will donate cookies and hot drinks following the event.

Pittmann said the public is welcome to bring their own wreaths if they wish.

Orders are always taken, although this year's wreaths are already en route to their destinations. Wreaths can be purchased online at this time for $15, but will go toward the 2012 program.

For more information, contact the Veterans Cemetery at 299-6280 or visit the program's website at wreathsacrossamerica.org.

James Eik can be reached at [email protected].