Community thanked for help with Wreaths Across America

To the Editor,

The Poplar Bluff Chapter National Society wishes to extend our appreciation to the citizens, civic organizations and businesses of Poplar Bluff for all their help in making Wreaths Across America possible for Memorial Gardens Cemetery. With this extraordinary help from the community, 870 veterans’ graves were marked with a live balsam wreath on Dec. 16.

In spite of a cold December rain, there was a great turnout of citizens and their families who joined in the Wreaths Across America day ceremonies at 11 that morning, part of over 3,700 cemeteries participating across the country and in American veterans’ cemeteries overseas. If adversity ever contributed to efficiency, this was it – all the wreaths placed by 12:15 in a steady rain. It was amazing to watch the crowd of approximately 150 people disperse across the cemetery after the ceremony, and to see the gradual greening of the veterans’ gravestones as the wreaths were placed.

We wish to recognize Cub Scout Owen Cato for the Pledge of Allegiance, and to Jim Todd for the “National Anthem.” Thanks again to those who placed the ceremonial wreaths during the opening formalities: Jerry Sneathern, U.S. Navy, Vietnam Veteran; Jesse Wells, U.S. Marine Corps E-6; Peggy Montgomery, U.S. Navy reserve veteran, Eric Wheat, U.S. Air Force; Bardis Dismuke, U.S. Navy, Vietnam veteran; Tom Rankin, U.S. Navy, Vietnam veteran; Lukas Miller, U.S. Marine Corps currently serving in Okinawa Japan; and Melanie Summers, Gold Star mother. Special thanks to the Billy Gene Kanell Battalion JROTC from Poplar Bluff High School, and to Col. Douglas C. Rose Jr. (retired) for our keynote address.

We wish to recognize our state representatives, the Hon. Cameron Bunting Parker and the Hon. Hardy Billington for presenting a joint resolution from Missouri House of Representatives, and to Poplar Bluff Mayor Shane Cornman for his proclamation, and to Poplar Bluff High School band director Steven Winters for closing the ceremony with taps.

Those folks listed above are the ones we saw during the ceremonies, but there were many, many more who made this day possible.

In 2023, chapter daughters visited 189 businesses in Poplar Bluff, offering the opportunity to support WAA at Memorial Gardens, as well as many civic organizations. Chapter daughters set up at veterans and city events to receive donations and tapped their friends and family members for sponsorship of wreaths as well. A special nod goes to DAR chapter members Jane Worley and Brenda Yarbro, organizers for this project, for the countless hours they have contributed.

Thanks to Ozark Border for allowing the transport truck from Maine to deliver our wreaths there, and to Don Worley for the use of his trailer to store them on. The Poplar Bluff High School honor clubs came to the cemetery on Wednesday morning before the Saturday event, and placed field flags marking the graves of the veterans that we knew of.

Chapter daughters had walked the cemetery several times in late summer and fall, searching for any indication on headstones of military service, and making sure our lists were in order.

We know that we may have missed a few, and if you know of a veteran buried at Memorial Gardens who did not receive a wreath, please contact chapter daughter Margaret Shackleford at 573-714-4177 to have his or her name added for next year.

Special thanks to Dale Garrett, volunteer director at the John Pershing VA Medical Center who, with his crew, furnished the sound system and set up the portable awnings chapter daughters brought to shelter participants from the rain. Thanks to First Baptist Church for the use of their van as a shuttle, and to Brian Munson for driving. The Vietnam Veterans of America came to the cemetery early as well to help unload the trailer with the boxes of wreaths for each section.

There were many other community citizens who arrived at the cemetery early to help count and place boxes of wreaths for each section as well. We are grateful to Steve and Susan Gillihan, owners, and to the staff at Memorial Gardens. I am most certain that there are many other folks that have contributed with their time and talent and sponsorship, please forgive any omissions in this listing.

The Poplar Bluff Chapter NSDAR has announced intentions of sponsoring Memorial Gardens again this year, with the ceremony to be held Dec. 14. Wreaths are normally $17 each. If you would like to sponsor wreaths for next year at this price, please send your checks, made payable to Wreaths Across America, to PBDAR, 256 County Rd 334, Poplar Bluff MO 63901.

Thank you, Poplar Bluff, for joining together to Remember the Fallen, Honor those who Serve, and Teach our children the value of Freedom.

Margaret Shackleford

Regent, Poplar Bluff Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution