By Karen Haave
The Sauk Trail Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution again will honor Monee’s military veterans with holiday wreaths on their gravesites at St. Paul Cemetery, 5323 W. Margaret Street. The DAR is sponsoring its local annual Wreaths Across America sale through December 2.
“Wreaths Across America is a national program that strives to honor every American soldier by remembering their service with a wreath during the holiday season,” Christi Holston, WAA Location Coordinator, explained.
“And 2024 will be the fifth year the Monee Historical Society has participated – along with St Paul’s Landmarked Cemetery and the local Sauk Trail Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution – in the National Wreaths Across America Ceremony. Our goal is to again sell 100 wreaths to honor every soldier buried at St Paul’s. Each wreath is $17.
“Either drop off a check for $17 at the church office made out to Wreaths Across America, or wreaths may be purchased online by going to WreathsAcrossAmerica.org. Make sure the code ILSPCM 1 is included on your order,” Holston noted. “This ensures St Paul’s Cemetery will receive your wreath for placement at this location.
“If someone wants to place a wreath, they can send an email to me, and I will make sure they are on the list! We do a ceremonial laying of a wreath for each of the service branches, as well,” she continued, “and if there are any veterans who would like to participate in that ceremony, please let me know via email.
“Also, if anyone has the name of a veteran who is not buried at St Paul’s who they would like us to read aloud when we read out the list of the fallen, we will be happy to include them as we read the Honor Roll during the ceremony.
“The ceremony is on December 14, at at 11 a.m., and I am praying for warmer weather this year! There will be cookies and coffee in the church hall afterward,” she added. “The ceremony is the same day as the Cookie Walk this year, so if those attending get there early, they can attend both!”