Dover, Tenn.–Some 200 attendees and volunteers joined together at the Fort Donelson National Cemetery to place 1,717 wreaths – one at each marble headstone, as part of the Wreaths Across America national initiative.
This year marked the ninth that the National Park Service and the Dover TN Post 72, American Legion, partnered to honor those at rest at the national cemetery via Wreaths Across America. It is the third year that every marker received a commemorative wreath.
In addition to honoring via this weekend’s wreath event, numerous attendees made comment about significant improvements observed on the historic landscape, completed as part of the National Park Service’s “National Cemetery Investment Initiative.” The program provides for resources and expertise to projects that are to improve the condition of the resources and landscapes of the fourteen national cemeteries under the care and operation of the National Park Service.
Over the past eighteen months the Fort Donelson National Cemetery has accomplished numerous undertakings via the initiative to enhance the cemetery landscape and its numerous resources. Such have included the removal of hazardous trees, the planting of bushes and trees to historic landscape plans, improvements to turf, extensive restoration of sections of the encircling stone wall, and more.
The wreaths will be in place until mid-January. During that time, we invite everyone to come out to view the wreath adorned markers of our veterans and to “remember, honor, and teach.”
While visiting, all are encouraged to take time to explore the commemorative landscape and to experience the most recent improvements undertaken to further honor those at rest within this hollowed place.
Photo courtesy of the Dover TN Post 72, American Legion