Last year, Phil Lehman Jr. organized the first Wreaths Across America program in Wrightsville, encouraging community members to purchase a Christmas wreath to place on a veteran's grave in one of three local cemeteries.

The program was well received last year, he noted, adding, "We had an excellent turnout, and many people asked, 'Are you doing this in 2023?'"

The answer is yes.

Orders are being taken now for the wreaths, which will be placed on graves on Saturday, Dec. 16.

"We're looking to increase our numbers from 465 in 2022 to 600 or more in 2023," Lehman stated. "We have more than 780 veterans at Fairview Cemetery, 42 at Mount Pisgah Cemetery and seven at Union Cemetery."

Wreaths Across America is a national nonprofit organization. The idea for the tribute began as a seed that was planted when Morrill Worcester, a 12-year-old paperboy for the Bangor Maine Daily News, won a trip to Washington, D.C. Arlington National Cemetery made a lasting impression on Morrill, who later became the owner of Worcester Wreath Company. In 1992, with a surplus of wreaths near the end of the holiday season, he remembered visiting Arlington as a boy and arranged for wreaths to be placed in the cemetery. The idea became a nationwide effort in 2005, when a photo of wreath-adorned stones at the cemetery spawned interest from people across the country wanting to participate in similar tributes locally. Today, the tradition continues annually at Arlington as well as more than 2,500 locations throughout the country.

People can sponsor a wreath for a family member, a friend, neighbor or anyone else who is a veteran, Lehman said. "It is important to celebrate the lives that have been given to the freedom we all share," noted Lehman, who served with the Navy Seabees and is currently president of the Wrightsville Cemetery Association.

Along with sponsors for wreaths, volunteers will be needed to help lay the wreaths. Lehman encourages young people especially to sign up to help so they have a better understanding of the sacrifices made by veterans.

Sponsor sheets for orders are available throughout Wrightsville at local businesses and at the Borough Office, 601 Water St., as well as at the post office, 307 Hellam St. For more information, to purchase a wreath or to volunteer with the effort, contact Lehman at 717-992-2042 or cbphil71@gmail.com. For more information about Wreaths Across America, visit http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.