Golf Outing Will Support Wreaths Across America

Several years ago, Paula Diem of Gap was taking bus trips to Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C., to take part in annual Wreaths Across America ceremonies held there. When Diem learned that it was possible to hold the ceremonies locally and distribute wreaths to area veterans' graves, she became the Gap area location coordinator for Wreaths Across America.

To raise the $37,000 necessary to decorate graves of local veterans in 23 cemeteries on the third Saturday in December, Diem and other volunteers hold several yearly fundraisers, including a bingo game, a candle sale, and a golf tournament. The 2022 Golf Classic will be held at Tanglewood Manor Golf Club, 653 Scotland Road, Quarryville, on Tuesday, Oct. 18. Registration will begin at 8 a.m., with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. Prizes and giveaways will be part of the event, and lunch will be served following the round. Competitions on the course will include longest drive, closest to the pin, a putting contest, and a hole-in-one contest with a prize of $1,000.

Sponsors for this year's tournament include Abdol and Cathy Ardrey Moabery. Abdol is a Navy veteran. Gold Star parents Terry and Diane Styer, who lost their son Brandon Styer in the Afghanistan War, are also sponsors.

Wreaths Across America has its roots in Harrington, Maine, in 1992, when a wreath maker discovered he had a 5,000-wreath surplus. Working with representatives in Washington, D.C., the wreath maker had the extras placed at Arlington National Cemetery. From there, the organization grew, and in 2020, 1.7 million wreaths were delivered to graves in more than 2,500 locations across the U.S.

In the Gap area, volunteers work to make sure that no veteran is forgotten by placing wreaths on veterans' graves in local cemeteries following a special ceremony. This year's Wreaths Across America ceremony in Gap will be held on Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Salisbury Township Community Park, 750 White Horse Road, Gap. At the conclusion, approximately 300 volunteers will leave the park to place wreaths, which will have been delivered to area cemeteries by members of local fire companies.

"When we started in 2019, we had 1,250 graves (to decorate)," said Diem. "Now we have 2,500 in the Pequea Valley and Octorara school districts." Diem added that area residents and businesses have responded positively to the program. "Our community is incredibly blessed by the generosity of our own people," she said.

Readers who are interested in golfing or in sponsoring the outing may call 717-587-1315 for more information.