HANOVER TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Across the nation on Saturday, veterans are honored as part of Wreaths Across America.
A group of volunteers gathered on Saturday in the Hanover Green Cemetery near Wilkes-Barre to take part in this national day of remembrance.
"This is America and this is what it's about. Everybody that has paid the ultimate sacrifice, people may not realize it but they do it for our freedoms," said Jeff Whitney of Scranton.
This annual ceremony for veterans is put on by the Shawnee Fort Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The group started the event at Hanover Green Cemetery in 2019.
"And now there's a few other organizations that have done it, but just ceremony only, so we were the first ones that brought Wreaths Across America to the valley and we are really proud of that and we are very happy to do that," said Kathleen Smith with the Shawnee Fort Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
This year, 100 wreaths were laid on the graves throughout the cemetery, but this local event at the Hanover Green Cemetery will come to an end.
The local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution has decided it wants to focus efforts to help veterans in other ways.
"To support the living veterans, men and women, or any community service project; we are always in support of that," said Smith.
Many people who came don't have loved ones buried here, but are still upset to hear this tradition won't be marching on.
"I've been out here twice and to Indiantown Gap once, I know it is something that needs to be done and I am disappointed this will be the last," said James Thomas, a U.S. Navy veteran.
"No matter where you go, no matter what town you go to, and no matter what state, there are cemeteries filled with men and women who died for our country and we need to celebrate that," said Tom Jamieson, a U.S. Navy veteran.
The Shawnee Fort Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution hopes another group will take the reins of the annual Wreaths Across America event in Hanover Township.
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