Help Lay Wreaths at Quantico, Gettysburg National Cemeteries

Volunteers will gather at Quantico National Cemetery and Gettysburg National Cemetery Dec. 6 and 7 to place Christmas wreaths on the graves of veterans. The project is an extension of a program started eight years ago by John and Susan McColley and the Sgt. Mac Foundation.

The McColleys are parents of Gettysburg native and United States Marine Corps Sergeant Eric McColley, who was killed along with seven other Marines and two Airmen in a helicopter accident in the Horn of Africa on Feb. 17, 2006. Sgt. McColley is interred at Quantico.

Last year the Sgt. Mac Foundation placed 1,600 Wreaths on graves at Gettysburg National Cemetery and 5,400 wreaths on graves at Quantico National Cemetery, according to Stan Clark, foundation board member. 

"With financial assistance from Veterans organizations, private individuals and businesses, we are able to expand this program to lay wreaths on more graves," Clark said. "We're also seeking assistance from anyone across the country."

Gettysburg Volunteers

Volunteers for Gettysburg will meet at 8 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, at the Giant Food Store parking lot on Natural Springs Road in Gettysburg to tie bows on the wreaths. At 12:45 p.m. volunteers we will meet at the Taneytown Road entrance to the Gettysburg National Cemetery to place wreaths on the graves. 

Quantico Volunteers

Volunteers for Quantico will meet at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the circle in front of Section 10 on Rappahannock Place at Quantico National Cemetery, 18424 Joplin Rd., Triangle, Va., to place wreaths on 6,400 gravesites.

"With sufficient support financially and logistically, we would like to expand this project every year," Clark said.

For more information, contact Stan Clark at 717-337-1728 or by e-mail at scmb@earthlink.net   Contributions may be made online.     

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