UPPER MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. — Seventeen dollars.
The cost of five cups of mini-mart coffee in a work week or one plain pizza on the weekend — indulgences rather than necessities.
So what better to do with $17 instead?
Better to spend it to salute the service of many of the Lehigh Valley’s fallen military veterans for their sacrifice.
The reason one should donate to the Knights of Columbus Council 10921 of Orefield’s Wreaths Across America campaign?
Much like that pizza, it’s plain to see: Honor.
"It's important that we remember our veterans."John Fitzpatrick, local Wreaths Across America co-coordinator
Each Dec. 14 — National Wreaths Across America Day — wreaths are placed on the graves of veterans at 4,600 cemeteries across the nation.
The K of C, in partnership with St. Luke’s University Health Network and 300 volunteers, place wreaths on the graves of 1,700 veterans at noon at Resurrection Cemetery, 547 N. Krocks Road, Wescosville.
Donations to sponsor a $17 wreath should be made by Nov. 28.
St. Luke’s will match one wreath for every two donated.
Donations can be made at www.wreathsacrossameria.org/PA0353 or by check payable to event coordinator John Fitzpatrick, 513 Steeplechase Lane, Allentown 18106.
They still need about 1,000 wreaths
The fresh evergreens have been used for centuries as a symbol recognizing honor and as a living tribute renewed annually.
“We are responsible for placing all 1,700 wreaths there to honor our veterans,” said Fitzpatrick, a 1983 West Point Military Academy graduate and Army veteran.
“It’s important that we remember our veterans. One of our missions at Wreaths Across America is to teach young generations about them and their service and sacrifice.”
Last year, organizers fell 70 wreaths short of their 1,700 goal.
This year, organizers say they've reached 45% of their goal, meaning they still need about 1,000 wreaths.
While the deadline to sponsor a wreath is 50 days away, there remains a logistical component. The wreaths are made of Maine Balsam and are trucked 600 miles to the Lehigh Valley from the Worcester Wreath Co. in Harrington, Maine.
In 1992, Morrill Worcester, founder and owner of Worcester Wreath Co., started delivering wreaths to veteran graves after he learned his company had produced a surplus of wreaths around the holiday season.
To make sure each veteran is honored
The wreath-laying ceremony is a moving tribute.
Boy Scouts present the colors along with the Knights of Columbus Color Corps. A local high school student delivers an essay with a patriotic theme.
Remarks are made by a military representative and Bishop Alfred A. Schlert.
“We’ve laid the wreaths in all kinds of weather. Rain, snow, cold. We make sure each veteran's is honored with a wreath.”John Fitzpatrick, local Wreaths Across America co-coordinator
The wreaths are presented by representatives of each branch of the military. A moment of silence is followed by the blowing of taps.
Then 300 volunteers lay wreaths on each veteran’s grave in just 15 minutes.
“We’ve laid the wreaths in all kinds of weather,” Fitzpatrick said. “Rain, snow, cold. We make sure each veteran's is honored with a wreath.”
Fitzpatrick shared a story that underscores the importance of the day.
He recently met a man at the Miller-Keystone Blood Center who told him his father is a veteran buried at the Resurrection Cemetery.
“The man told me that there is no military marker at his father’s grave,” Fitzpatrick said. “He said no one knows his father was a veteran.”
Fitzpatrick located the grave and placed an American flag there. He said he's in the process of securing a military marker for the veteran.
And he will receive a wreath — with your help.
Unlike that coffee and pizza, it is something deceased veterans should never go without.
