Wreaths Across America
Rotarians volunteered their time and made significant donations towards the Wreaths Across America. The mission of the Wreaths Across America organization is to remember our fallen U.S. veterans, honor those who serve, and teach our children the value of freedom. Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, the Rotary Club of Americus volunteers to lay wreaths on the graves of veterans at Andersonville National Cemetery, and donates funds to purchase wreaths.
In 2020, Rotarians and other volunteers together placed nearly 11,000 wreaths at Andersonville. Rotarians also assist the day prior by helping unload wreaths from the trucks. Jim Covington, past president of the Americus Club and Chairman of the Friends of Andersonville, is a champion in leading this community-wide effort. This year's event was impacted by COVID-19 in that the program had to be cancelled and the number of volunteers let into the park to lay wreaths was limited.
Rotarians took part in escorting the semi trucks into town which carried the wreaths to Andersonville, unloading the trucks and placing boxes of wreaths throughout the cemetery, and laying wreaths on the graves of soldiers buried there.
| Partner Involvement |
|---|
| Bennett Trucking and the Taylor Foundation, along with the National Park Service and the Friends of Andersonville provide logistical assistance, as well as, coordination of the program. Normally, there are hundreds of volunteers that come from all over and descend upon the park to lay wreaths on the over 22,000 graves in the park; however, this year, there were limits to the number of volunteers allowed into the park each hour. |
Bennett Trucking and the Taylor Foundation are patriots! They deliver wreaths to Andersonville each year.
The trucking and logistics company based in McDonough, GA with strong roots in the country's military.
Selfie with Rotarian and veteran Jim Covington
Jim takes the lead in coordinating the effort each year
The 11 am grouping
The National Park Service limited the number of people in the park each hour
Rotarian Cindy Pryor (winner of club's Service Above Self Award)
She also serves as one of the club's ambassadors to the Wreaths Across America organization
Laying wreaths
Rotarians quietly repeat the name of each soldier as wreaths are lain