Pikeville group plans to place wreaths
By Steve Herring
Published in News on September 28, 2014 1:50 AM
PIKEVILLE -- American Legion Post 541 Commander James Carter is hoping for a repeat of the post's successful participation last year in the Wreaths Across America program.
Thanks to the community's response, the post was able to purchase and to place live Christmas wreaths on the graves of the 116 veterans buried in the Pikeville Cemetery.
The wreaths cost $15 each or two for $30.
The cutoff date for orders is Monday, Dec. 1. The wreaths will be put on stands and placed on veterans' graves at the Pikeville Cemetery the following week.
Details are still being worked out for the ceremony, Carter said. However, Saturday, Dec. 13, is National Wreaths Across America Day.
"We did it last year, and it was great," Carter said. "We met our goal -- something we were real proud of. We had people from all over, even people from out of state, who participated. We raised $1,200 (to buy the wreaths).
"It is a good cause. It is for the veterans. We already have some donations."
Carter said he is confident the goal will be reached again this year.
"If you sponsor two wreaths, we get a third wreath free of charge," he said. "For every wreath sold, the post also will receive $5."
The post can use that money to purchase other wreaths, or use it for other post projects, he said.
The live green wreaths, which have a large red ribbon, will be put on the graves prior to Christmas where they will remain until the first of the year to give people time to enjoy them, Carter said.
Also, the national program will provide wreaths representing each branch of military service, which will be placed in the cemetery.
There is at least one Civil War veteran buried in the cemetery and other veterans who have no family in the area, Carter said.
If not for the Wreaths Across America program, there would have been no wreaths on those graves, he said.
Checks should be made payable to American Legion Post 541 and mailed to James Carter, Commander, 114 Bartlett Ave., Goldsboro 27530 or to American Legion Post 541, P.O. Box 743, Pikeville, NC 27863. In the memo line write "wreaths."
For more information, or to place an order, call Carter at 919-735-4464.