For the third time Wreaths Across America will be coming to Howell County. With the coordinated efforts of the Ozark Spring Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (Ozark Spring, NSDAR), the City of Mtn. View, Missouri, and the VFW Post 3009, Mtn. View, Missouri, Wreaths Across America Day will be held at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1019 E. 3rd St., Mtn. View, Missouri to “Remember and Honor” the 195 veterans who are buried there along with a few veterans’ spouses.
The wreaths will be escorted from the VFW Post 3009, Mtn. View to the Cemetery by the Mtn. View City Police and Fire Departments. Upon arrival at 10:30 a.m. CST, family members present will be given an opportunity to proceed to their loved one’s grave where a wreath and red ribbon will be presented for them to place on their loved one’s grave. These wreaths are not for decoration, they are placed by volunteers on the same day all across America in order to “Remember – Honor – Teach.”
At approximately 10:45 a.m. CST, volunteers will line up and be assigned a wreath and red ribbon to continue placing wreaths on each remaining grave site. As each wreath is placed, the veteran’s name will be said aloud, and the veteran thanked for their service to our country. Following placement of wreaths at 11:00 a.m. CST, at the same time as the Howell County ceremony, Wreaths Across America will place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, U.S. Army, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. The Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mtn. View ceremony is standing only; therefore, the public is welcome to bring a lawn chair.
The effort to honor our local veterans is ongoing. Volunteers have been selling wreaths for $17 each to raise the money to pay for the 195 veterans graves. To purchase a wreath or make a donation, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/MO0237 or www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/MOVTMC. Donations can also be made by scanning the QR code at the bottom of the page. Donations may be made in any amount and combined with others to complete the purchase of a wreath. For more information or to participate – volunteer, please contact, Ms. Cindy Pirch at (417) 629–4102 or Ms. Lois Frazier at (417) 257–8215. Like and follow us on Facebook at Wreaths Across America – Ozark Spring Chapter, NSDAR.
