On December 15, John Benning DAR and dozens of volunteers from the community joined with Wreaths Across America to place wreaths on the graves of veterans at the Pinecrest Veterans Memorial Garden and other cemeteries in the area. This was the first time this project was implemented in Moultrie and South Georgia. We were unsure what to expect this first year, but in typical South Georgia fashion, the community responded to support our veterans. We had hoped to secure enough sponsorships to cover the 24 veterans’ graves in the Veterans section. In the end, we had sponsorships for over 150 wreaths. What a testament to the patriotism of our community.

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank the sponsors and volunteers who made this project successful. A special thanks to Luke Strong and the staff of Pinecrest Memorial Gardens. Their assistance helped to make the event run smoothly. Media coverage from The Observer helped promote the event and led to so many sponsors and volunteers supporting the project. We’d also like to thank the distinguished veterans who laid the service wreaths: Meg Bishop, US Army; Dr. Rob Bartosh, US Navy; Andrew Christensen, US Air Force; and Art Ellis, US Marines.

DAR Service to Veterans Chair Susan Turner is to be commended for tackling this new endeavor with extreme fervor. With her leadership again next year, we hope to place wreaths on even more veterans’ graves in 2019. DAR members put to practice our mission of God, family and country with this project.

Wreaths Across America’s mission is to REMEMBER the service of veterans, to HONOR those currently serving and to TEACH our children about freedom. John Benning DAR is privileged to bring this project to Moultrie and to work with our community to achieve these goals. We must never forget what our freedom cost and make sure our children understand its value.

Nancy Coleman, Regent

John Benning Chapter

National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

Moultrie, Georgia