Chemung County Legislator Rodney J. Strange has sponsored 15 wreaths for this year’s Wreaths Across America Day at Woodlawn National Cemetery in Elmira.
More than 1 million wreaths were placed on the graves of the fallen on Saturday, December 17, 2016, when hundreds of thousands of volunteers gathered on National Wreaths Across America Day at more than 1,000 participating cemeteries across the country. Volunteers participate in wreath-laying ceremonies to remember those who have given their lives, to honor those who serve and to teach younger generations about the value of their freedoms.
“I am proud to support this organization that remembers our fallen heroes, honors those who serve today and helps teach our younger generations about the tragedies of war and that freedom isn’t free,” Strange said. “I sponsored 15 wreaths to honor those residents of Chemung County’s 15th legislative district who served our country and who continue to serve today.”
1,800 wreaths were laid at the graves at Woodlawn National Cemetery this year by many volunteers. That was up from about 1,500 last year.