Community groups, businesses and local students stepped up last weekend to brave cold weather and snow to honor veterans buried at local cemeteries by placing a wreath at their gravesides as part of National Wreaths Across America Day.

Memorial services took place Saturday at both the Girard and Niles city cemeteries and were followed by volunteers who walked through cemeteries to place the markers.

Nationwide, 5,400 locations honored fallen heroes, veterans, active-duty service members and their families.

GIRARD

In Girard, Kathy Blackstone with Blackstone Funeral Home coordinated the event, asking volunteers to take wreaths and place them on veterans’ graves. She said 750 wreaths were placed by Girard High School Beta Club students and employees of Dollar General.

Blackstone said 1,300 wreaths were placed in 2024, but she and others are still excited at what was done this year.

Delinda Colbert, district manager for Dollar General, said this was the fifth time employees of local DG stores helped with the effort.

“We are always glad to be here and help get this done. It is great to know that events like this are taking place across America at different locations,” Colbert said.

Blackstone said it means a lot to the veterans and their families to remember them in this way.

“It honors and remembers the sacrifices each veteran has made for this community. We thank the veterans who stepped up to help and place wreaths on the graves,” she said.

Blackstone said the Girard cemetery has an old section where World War I veterans are buried as well as newer sections.

Eric Pellegrini, a Girard High School history and government teacher, said 10 Beta Club members will receive community service hours for participating. He said this is the fifth year students have given back to the community.

“There are staff at Girard High School who have family members who are veterans,” Pellegrini said.

Beta Club member Nevaeh Clinckscale, 15, said she wanted to take part “to show thanks to the veterans for all they have done.”

“I decided I wanted to step up and help place wreaths on veterans’ markers,” said Beta Club member Luke Graham, 15, a sophomore.

Blackstone said the wreaths were sponsored by the American Legion Post 235.

Blackstone said if someone still wants to purchase a wreath, they are available through Jan. 12. For information, call 330-539-5955.

Wreaths Across America for next year is set for Dec. 19.

NILES

At the Niles cemetery, Mayor Steve Mientkiewicz said this is the fifth year that Niles has taken part in Wreaths Across America — coordinated by resident Stephanie Furano — who wants younger generations to know of the sacrifices the veterans made to protect the country.

“It is a tremendous honor for the city to remember our veterans laid to rest at the Niles City Cemetery. We exceeded our goal this year of placing more than 1,600 wreaths at the cemetery,” Mientkiewicz said.

He said the city plans to continue taking part next year.

Furano, who served as location coordinator, said those who helped put the wreaths on the markers included members of GFWC Ohio Junior Cyberlinks Club and Niles McKinley High School Key Club and soccer team members.

Furano said this year, 1,668 wreaths were placed compared to 1,600 in 2024. She said the veterans’ section at Niles City Cemetery alone has more than 500 graves that received wreaths.

“We hope what we are able to do will educate the younger generations and the community to remember to thank those who served our country in all branches of the military and remember the fallen. It is a good thing that people come out and support this,” she said.

Furano said she also appreciated the Niles veterans organizations that took part in the ceremony.

“It is a great tribute to our veterans,” Mientkiewicz said.

Furano said wreaths are available for $17 and are available through Dec. 31 at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/OH0286.