It may only be August, but Phil Lehman has Christmas on his mind. More specifically, he's focused on honoring veterans in Wrightsville through the Wreaths Across America program. Lehman, who is president of the Wrightsville Cemetery Association, is organizing the program at Fairview Cemetery in Wrightsville and is working with Historic Wrightsville Inc. to hold the program at the Mount Pisgah and Union cemeteries as well. Although the official wreath laying won't take place until Saturday, Dec. 17, orders are being taken now for wreaths.

"As a vet, it's been on my heart to do this in Wrightsville for some time," said Lehman, who served with the Navy Seabees. "I went to a wreath-laying ceremony in Mount Bethel Cemetery in Columbia last December, and it was very impressive." Lehman contacted Wrightsville Borough officials, received approval for the program and began handing out informational flyers at Wrightsville's Memorial Day celebration. "So far, we've gotten a really good response from people," he said.

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 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.

"The program talks about the idea of 'remember, honor and teach,'" Lehman stated. "Wreaths Across America is about remembering the sacrifice these veterans have made by serving, honoring their service and teaching children what these vets have done and continue to do for their freedom."

Lehman noted that Fairview Cemetery is the final resting place for more than 800 veterans. About 50 veterans are laid to rest in Mount Pisgah Cemetery, and there are seven veterans buried in Union Cemetery.

Fred Smith, who is working with Lehman on the project, noted that the wreaths will replace American flags at the veterans' graves, which were placed there on Memorial Day. "The wreaths will be a nice way to mark veterans' graves and easily identify them in winter," he stated.

Lehman and his committee are working with the American Legion Post 469 and other civic and community groups to host Wreaths Across America in Wrightsville. "We hope people will participate in purchasing a wreath for a veteran, and we want people to come out and participate on the day we distribute the wreaths as well," Lehman said. "We're doing all of this to honor our veterans."

For more information, to purchase a wreath or to volunteer with the effort, contact Lehman at 717-992-2042 or cbphil71@gmail.com. Orders must be placed by Tuesday, Nov. 8.