DAR Brings Wreaths Across America to Local Cemetery

Three Oaks, MI – December 11, 2021

Armed with warm hats and hearts the members from the Rebecca Dewey Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution gathered Saturday, November 11, 2021 for a Wreaths Across America ceremony at Shedd Cemetery in Three Oaks Township. Vice-Regent Sandy Wilhoit organized the event of a full ceremony. Chapter Regent Kathleen Avery Alton offered the beginning words and chapter Historian Carol Kent sending members to offer wreaths to honor the branches of service. A local veteran learned of the ceremony and brought her daughters to help commemorate her and her husband’s service in the USAF. 

Wreaths Across America is a national not-for-profit effort to provide wreaths to all veteran burials to honor their service to the country. At noon on November 11, wreaths were placed across the nation to honor veterans in both municipal and National cemeteries. 

The chapter appreciated the presence of the American Legion Post 204 of Three Oaks’ honor guard for presentation of colors and salute. Post Commander Jason Niemzyk provided the sound of taps. Township Supervisor George Mangold was also present with greetings and gratitude’s.

About Wreaths Across America: Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as at more than 2,500 veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and overseas. Volunteer Location Contact: Sandy Wilhoit, 269/462-3982 sswilhoit@aol.com

About the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Rebecca Dewey Chapter:

Chapter History – The Rebecca Dewey Chapter, NSDAR, Three Oaks, Michigan, was organized July 9, 1909, with a membership of seventeen.  It was chartered December 21, 1909, with fourteen members.  Since Three Oaks had secured the Dewey Cannon at the close of the Spanish-American War, it was decided to name the Chapter after Admiral Dewey’s great grandmother.  Rebecca Dewey Chapter NSDAR currently has 30 Members.

Dewey Cannon – This cannon, captured in the Spanish-American War by Admiral Dewey, was presented to Three Oaks when its citizens raised $1,400 for a memorial to the men of the battleship Maine. This was the largest contribution, per capita, of any community in the nation. “Three Oaks Against the World,” a local paper proudly boasted. This park was dedicated October 17, 1899, by President William McKinley, and others. Presentation of the cannon took place on June 28, 1900. Guest of honor was Helen Miller Gould, called the Spanish-American War’s “Florence Nightingale.” Thousands of people were in attendance on each occasion.