Neighborhood News

Master Gardeners wreath laying at North Georgetown Cemetery this year

The Master Gardener Volunteers of Mahoning and Columbiana Counties will host a wreath laying in honor of veterans at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 5, at North Georgetown Cemetery in Knox Township.

Volunteers will honor all 100 veterans buried at this cemetery by placing a wreath on their headstone and saying the veteran's name to ensure they are not forgotten. Local American Legion George D. Worth Post #574 will provide the Color Guard and Rifle Squad. West Branch high school students will assist with the wreath laying and senior Mason Brown will play taps.

For the past 18 years, Master Gardener Volunteers of Mahoning and Columbiana Counties have honored veterans by placing wreaths on their graves in early December.

Master Gardeners work with community leaders whose cemeteries do not have a wreath program. Every two years the volunteers identify a local cemetery without a program. Once a commitment is made to adopt the wreath program at a new cemetery, Master Gardener volunteers work hand in hand with their local veteran, township and school district organizations to plan the wreath laying ceremony. Preparations such as identifying veteran gravesites, recruitment of family/volunteers to place wreaths, color guard, taps and emcee for the ceremony along with securing the wreaths are some of what is needed. Master Gardener volunteers, through their fundraising efforts, assume all costs for the wreath program for their first two years. After a two year period, local leaders have plans in place and are prepared to carry on with their new tradition to honor our veterans.

Individuals can help carry on the legacy by attending the ceremony and/or making a donation toward the purchase of the wreaths, which cost $10 each. Donations can be sent to The Ohio State University Extension Office, 490 S. Broad St. Canfield, Ohio 44406. Checks payable to The Ohio State University.

Anyone with a suggestion for a cemetery in need of these services should contact the Extension Office at 330-533-5538.