By Matthew Sockol
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD – The community will participate in a national ceremony to honor members of the armed forces who were killed in service to the nation.
On Dec. 17 at noon at Elks Point, Freehold Borough officials, residents and guests will take part in Wreaths Across America, an annual event in which wreaths are placed at cemeteries and monuments across the nation.
Wreaths will be placed at the monuments at Elks Point and at the religious markers at the memorial that honor members of the armed forces from Freehold who were killed in the nation’s wars, according to borough officials.
The event is sponsored by the Olive Branch Masonic Lodge No. 16, Freehold.
According to municipal officials, more than 1,100 locations nationwide and more than 40 locations overseas will participate in the ceremony. The wreaths in all locations will be placed at the same time on the same day, which coincides with the laying of wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
This will be the 25th year that wreaths will be placed in Arlington National Cemetery and almost one million wreaths will be placed at the event’s various locations, according to borough officials.
“I would like to thank the Masons for their contributions and their dedication in keeping this program going,” Councilman George Schnurr said. “Throughout the year, they seek out opportunities in and around Freehold Borough to offer charity and in-kind support. This is another fine example of the good and caring work that Freemasons do for others.”
A video provided by municipal officials includes Gold Star Mother Ruth Stonesifer discussing the importance of Wreaths Across America in 2012. Stonesifer’s son, Kristofor, a U.S. Army Ranger, was killed in a helicopter accident.
“I watched this mother and a little boy place a wreath on one of the stones and I remember thinking that someday when the words and (Kristofor’s) name is all worn off (his memorial), there still will be someone who will come by and pay their respects to my son’s memory,” Stonesifer said in the video. “This is the impact and the reason why I continue to work with Wreaths Across America.”