As part of the national Wreaths Across America (WAA) program held each December, wreaths are placed on the graves of veterans to honor them for their service. Wreath-laying ceremonies are held at locations throughout the country, as well as at Arlington National Cemetery.

Locally, members of the Chester County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) took part in a WAA program on Dec. 18, 2021, at the Birmingham-Lafayette Cemetery in West Chester. During the event, more than 600 wreaths were placed on the graves of veterans.

Chester County DAR regent Dawn Coughlan and Jim Serum, president of the cemetery board, welcomed more than 100 visitors to the ceremony, which included the singing of the national anthem and the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Remarks were offered by Chester County DAR member Bobbi McMullen, who is a former state regent and National Society DAR vice president.

Music was provided by fife and drum re-enactors. Other participants included the American Legion Post 491 Color Guard and members of Chester County Girl Scout Troop 4589 and Boy Scout Troop 22.

Maggie Weaver from the DAR presented ceremonial wreaths to representative members of branches of the armed services, including Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. The men placed the wreaths on stands next to the flag of each branch.

All in attendance, including DAR members, were then invited to lay wreaths that had previously been delivered in boxes by the WAA organization. Because of the number of wreaths needed, the Boy Scouts placed some of them on the graves in advance of the ceremony.

"The board of the cemetery marked all of the graves that were veterans with flags," explained DAR member Nancy Drummond. "Everybody was invited to lay a wreath and instructed on how to do that - so many inches from the stone and to tip it back. (We were also instructed to say), 'Thank you for service,' and state (the name of the veteran) aloud."

DAR members and the community were invited to sponsor the cost of the wreaths. "We were able to get enough donations to cover every veteran's grave," Drummond noted. "People could order wreaths from WAA and indicate which cemetery they would like to receive the wreaths. If they did not indicate a specific cemetery, the wreaths went to Arlington National Cemetery."

This is the first time that the Chester County DAR has held a WAA ceremony at the Birmingham-Lafayette Cemetery. "A number of years ago our chapter started doing this at Paoli Battlefield. Between 50 and 60 soldiers from the Revolutionary War are buried there," said Drummond. "Another chapter took that over, and we took this on. We plan on doing it every year."

She added that in addition to taking part in WAA, which honors veterans, the chapter works closely with the Coatesville Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, In the past, the chapter has sponsored events at the VA, such as a party for female veterans, and provided essentials for veterans such as personal care items.

For more information about the Chester County DAR, including upcoming events, visit http://www.ccdar.org.