The Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, the AOH New York County Board and the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Morris County, New Jersey will be hosting a Wreaths Across America ceremony at Noon Sharp on Saturday, December 13 in the Basilica's South Cemetery.
The entrance is by the front of the church on Mott Street in Manhattan.
Said a release: "The Knickerbocker Grey’s will be providing the color guard. The Port Authority Police Department Emerald Society Pipes and Drums and Armed Forces Association will provide bagpipers and an honor guard.
"All 4,900+ sites will simultaneously celebrate this event at 12 noon eastern standard time, being the start time.
"Each veteran grave is given a wreath that is placed at their tombstone. The program has been fully financed by the owners of the farms in Maine who produce these wreaths and started this program. As of this writing, there are over 3 million wreaths laid at the graves of these veterans per annum.
"Many corporate sponsors are involved, and all the trucking to the 4,900+ sites is through the trucking company donating its own trucks and drivers to this cause. Volunteers lay the wreaths."
Organizers of the St. Patrick's Basilica wreath laying are advising attendees to arrive by 11.30 a.m.
The release concluded: "Your family, neighbors and friends are welcome to join as well to honor those veterans who defended our great country. Please contact Bill Duggan at wcdugganjr@hotmail.com and Tom Beirne at tombeirne4@hotmail.com for more information and to coordinate any requests to speak or to present.
More at AOH New York County Board http://www.aohnyc.org/
