December 14, 2024- 11:00am

Join us on National Wreaths Across America Day, December 14, 2024, at

the Washington Memorial Chapel at Valley Forge National Historical Park. 

 

    

Society of the Descendants of
Washington’s Army at Valley Forge
Wreaths Across America Committee
Message from the Location Coordinator

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Greetings DVF Members,

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We continue to honor our Valley Forge patriots in 2024. In 2019, the Pennsylvania Brigade brought the Wreaths Across America project back to Valley Forge National Historical Park after many years of absence.  We had a goal of placing 100 wreaths around the park’s National Memorial Arch. That goal was far surpassed, and we have since expanded to include all DVF members and increased our goal to 750 wreaths this December. 

 

This year, we are participating in the Wreaths Across America as a national organization by both purchasing and laying wreaths at the Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge on December 14, 2024, at 11 am. The Chapel has asked us to include their modern-day Valley Forge patriots buried and inurned in the churchyard. We are again partnering with the Chapel, Valley Forge Park Alliance, Lockheed Martin, Pilot’s Club of Valley Forge, Valley Forge DAR Chapter, and the Patriotic Order Sons of America to ensure another successful year. We continue the momentum and excitement for the history of Valley Forge while having the space and support we need to grow this event at Washington Memorial Chapel.

 

For those unable to make the day of event, please consider donating a wreath at the link below, help set up wreath stands on December 13, or work with us to clean up and recycle all parts of the wreath but the bows on Saturday, January 18, 2025 (set up and recycling dates are weather-dependent). 

 

For those unfamiliar, here is a brief history from Wreaths Across America from their website:  In December 1992, wreath maker Morrill Worcester found himself with a surplus of 5,000 wreaths during the holiday season. Worcester saw the surplus as an opportunity to pay tribute to our country’s veterans and, with the help of Maine Senator Olympia Snowe, arranged for the wreaths to be placed at Arlington National Cemetery. 

 

In 2007, the Worcester family along with veterans and volunteers formed the non-profit organization Wreaths Across America. Wreaths Across America’s mission is simple: Remember the fallen, Honor those that serve, and Teach the next generation about the value of freedom. In 2023, Wreaths Across America and its 3 million volunteers placed veterans’ wreaths at more than 4,200 locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea, and abroad.

 

I greatly appreciate your participation and support of this admirable project in Valley Forge. If you would like to donate, our location code is PAVAFE the link is here: donate online    

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Courtney Cunningham 

Wreaths Across America Valley Forge Encampment Location Coordinator​

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