Photo submitted by Judy Kuzminski Three local groups are preparing for the delivery of wreaths that will be used in upcoming Wreaths Across America ceremonies at multiple cemeteries around the county, honoring veterans laid to rest. Ben Lore, Youngsville native, will be hauling wreaths from Maine for the upcoming Wreaths Across America ceremony at Youngsville Cemetery.

Wreaths Across America is expanding in Warren County thanks to some dedicated volunteers.

Judy Kuzminski decided in January 2024 to bring the event to the Youngsville Cemetery.

“I was driven by my desire to honor my brother, who served in Vietnam,” said Kuzminski.

Kuzminski recruited Julie Anderson as her co-coordinator, and sent a letter to Tony Lore, commander at Youngsville American Legion.

“Tony’s enthusiasm has been a huge factor in bringing this all together. He mentioned that his brother, Ben, a former Marine, wanted to go to Maine to get the wreaths back to Youngsville, his hometown,” Kuzminski said.

Briggs Trucking in Lottsville was happy to lend Ben Lore a trailer, and his current employer Tank Carrier Services US Inc. Emlenton, Pa., has gone above and beyond to make it possible to make this happen.

“Ben is excited to enjoy the whole experience of bringing the wreaths and participating in Wreaths Across America,” said Kuzminski.

Youngsville residents are invited to come out and line Main Street to welcome the truck along with the escort vehicles as they come into town, the arrival is anticipated for Tuesday and arrival time will be posted on the Youngsville PA Wreaths Across America Facebook page. For more information email Judy Kuzminski at kuzminje@gmail.com.

The Blue Star Mothers began their participation in the annual event in 2023, placing 400 wreaths on the headstones of the veterans laid to rest in the St. Joseph Cemetery in Warren.

This year the Blue Star Mothers have added five additional cemeteries around the county including: Oakland Cemetery in Warren, Gross/Mead Cemetery in Conewango Township, Scandia Cemetery in Scandia, Barnes Cemetery in Sheffield, Westview Cemetery in Starbrick, and the State Hospital Cemetery in North Warren.

The Blue Star Mothers will hold a ceremony at St. Joseph’s church at noon on Saturday, Dec. 14, and then disperse to lay the more than 2,000 wreaths at the six cemeteries.

Wrightsville Cemetery will host its inaugural Wreaths Across America ceremony this year. The effort was coordinated and led by local volunteers and sponsorship groups that raised funds throughout the year to sponsor the placement of 111 veterans’ wreaths on the headstones of fallen service members laid to rest there.

The Wrightsville Cemetery ceremony will take place on Saturday, Dec. 14, beginning at noon. Wreath placement will immediately follow the ceremony.

The Wrightsville Cemetery is located at 1362 Route 958, Pittsfield, and the community is invited to attend a free ceremony. For more information about the Wreaths Across America ceremony at the Wrightsville Cemetery contact Kelly Kibbey at wrightsvillecemetery16340@yahoo.com.

For more information about Wreaths Across America in the region, visit the Blue Star Mothers of Kinzua PA203 Facebook page, email bluestarmotherspa203@yahoo.com or via call 814-230-0804.

Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony that was started by a Maine businessman Morrill Worchester at Arlington National Cemetery in 1992. The organization has expanded and now has participants in all 50 states. Wreaths Across America’s yearlong mission to remember, honor and teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations