FREEHOLD – Community members will participate in a national ceremony that will honor members of the United States’ armed forces who were killed in service to the nation.
On Dec. 16 at noon, 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 Across America will take place at Elks Point – the intersection of East Main Street and Broadway. Parking will be available at Freehold Elks Lodge No. 1454, 73 E. Main St.
Wreaths will be placed at the military service monuments at Elks Point and at the 66 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 2017 ceremony will mark the seventh year Freehold Borough is participating in the event. Wreaths Across America is sponsored locally by 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 of the locations will be placed at the same time on the same day, which coincides with the laying of wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknowns (also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier) at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Approximately 1 million wreaths will be placed during the ceremony.
Freehold Borough officials said Wreaths Across America was started at Arlington National Cemetery by businessman Morrill Worcester, who owned a wreath company in Maine and who had been inspired by a trip he took to Washington, D.C., and to Arlington National Cemetery as a boy.
After 14 years, Worcester’s effort received attention when images of wreaths in the snow at Arlington surfaced on the internet.
“With all of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, to remember veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice is a wonderful idea and we hope this tradition of remembrance can grow each year,” Borough Council President George Schnurr said.
“I would like to thank the Masons for their contributions and their dedication in keeping this program going,” 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 Freemasons do for others.”
A video provided by municipal officials shows Gold Star mother Ruth Stonesifer discussing the importance of Wreaths Across America in 2012.
Stonesifer’s son, U.S. Army Ranger Kristofor Stonesifer, was killed in a helicopter accident during a military operation in Pakistan on Oct. 19, 2001, as he was taking part in Operation Enduring Freedom.
“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.”