Dover, Tenn.– On Saturday December 14, members of the Stewart County community, as well as attendees from well outside of the local area, will gather at Fort Donelson National Cemetery to pay honor as part of Wreaths Across America Day – the purpose of the national program being to “Remember the Fallen; Honor those who Serve; and to Teach our children of the value of Freedom.”
The commemorative event will begin at 12 noon inside the main entrance of the national cemetery.
Offered through collaboration of the Fort Donelson National Cemetery and the Douglas M. Lyons, Dover Post 72, American Legion, the local Post will place specially designated wreaths for the respective branches of the nation’s armed forces, and POW/MIA. Wreaths delivered for the 2019 Wreaths Across America undertaking will decorate graves throughout the national cemetery, honoring burials of veterans from the Civil War forward.
In 2018, more than 200 volunteers assembled to place more than 1,100 wreaths at the Fort Donelson National Cemetery; provided through the Wreaths Across America campaign. It is the hope of the coordinating Lyons Post to place wreaths on every headstone within the cemetery.
Those wishing to register a wreath through the Post may do so at
https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/14950/Overview/?relatedId=0
On the day of the event, parking for those with handicap parking/accessibility needs, or for those attending only the program portion of the event, will be in the national cemetery parking lot, located at 174 National Cemetery Drive, Dover.
After the conclusion of the Ceremony, the Douglas M. Lyons, American Legion Post #72 will be providing a hot/cold beverage and light snack at the W.D. Sykes Museum, 178 Cedar Street, Dover. Guests and visitors are encouraged to tour the numerous wonderfully themed Christmas trees on display throughout the historic home. There is no fee to tour the museum.
Safety is the number one priority at Fort Donelson. As there are no available heated facilities in the national cemetery, attendees are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather conditions of the day, wear comfortable footwear, and have water and a snack, if desired.
In case of inclement weather and event status, please check the park’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/fortdonelsonnps, or by calling the park’s event/weather line at 931-232-0827. For general park inquiries, please contact the Ranger staff at 931-232-5706 x 0.
Photo: A local Cub Scout places wreaths during the 2016 ceremony.
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