The first-ever Wreaths Across America ceremony in Ellijay will take place Saturday, Dec. 13, at noon in the City Cemetery. The program honors deceased veterans by the placing wreaths on their gravesites around the country.
There will be no parking in the cemetery; instead, golf carts will shuttle attendees from the courthouse parking lot on Spring Street to the cemetery if they do not want to walk the steep hillside.
There are just over 200 veterans buried in Ellijay City Cemetery alone, and wreaths will be placed on each of their gravesites, according to organizers. Wreaths will also be placed to honor Gold Star veterans — those killed in combat action — from Gilmer County who are buried in other cemeteries.
Vietnam veteran and retired Gilmer County school superintendent Ben Arp will be the keynote speaker, and the sheriff’s office Honor Guard will present the colors and perform a 21-gun salute. Bill Hall will play “Taps,” and bagpiper William Rowlette will give a rendition of “Amazing Grace.”
Dec. 13 is the national observance day for Wreaths Across America, and there will be a noon service at Arlington National Cemetery, also. In all, Wreaths Across America will take place at 5,900 sites across the country this year.
Those who would like to take part in setting up for the ceremony should arrive at 9 a.m.