Wreaths placed on local veterans’ graves

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Staff Reports

Each year on Dec. 19, there are wreath-laying ceremonies for National Wreaths Across America Day.

The ceremonies take place at Arlington National Cemetery and at more than 2,100 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states.

Sponsored wreaths are placed at the gravesite of veterans to remember, honor and teach.

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Several graves across Jackson, Jennings and Decatur counties have already received a little sprucing up this year, courtesy of the Knights of Columbus at St. Joseph’s, St. Ann’s and St. Mary’s Catholic churches.

The group teamed up with Wreaths Across Bartholomew County, sponsored by Sons of the American Legion, and purchased 40 wreaths.

Those wreaths now decorate the gravesites of area veterans. The effort was spearheaded by Larry French, a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and a former Seymour resident.

He and his cousin, Mike Cardinal of Pensacola, Florida, thought the veterans’ graves needed some extra decoration this holiday season.

The wreaths also adorn the gravesites of the sons and sons-in-law of Henry and Rose Elsner. They raised 10 children in the Four Corners area, and many of their descendants are buried in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Henry’s ancestors helped establish the Four Corners area, including the church.

French said in his eyes, the farmers, railroad workers and butchers who provided services at home during wartime are deserving of praise, as well.

Wreaths also were placed at Riverview Cemetery in Seymour and Fairview Cemetery in Brownstown.

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www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/

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