For years, sisters Pat Spencer and Maggie Barnett have helped decorate veterans’ graves at the Fort Scott National Cemetery during the Christmas season as part of the Wreaths Across America campaign.
“We’ve been asked, ‘Why don’t we do something like this for Highland Cemetery?’” Spencer noted this week.
They’ll give it a shot this year.
Spencer and Barnett, who are members of the LaHarpe Veterans of Foreign Wars post, are partaking in a “wreath blitz” to come up with more than 230 Christmas wreaths to decorate veterans’ graves at Highland Cemetery.
Barnett and Spencer prefer artificial wreaths, “so that we can reuse them each year instead of having to buy 230 new ones each time,” Spencer said.
They’re hoping folks will be able to help with the cause, either by donating a gently used wreath or two, or by making a financial contribution.
At $15 apiece for a fresh wreath, buying new each year would cost more than $3,400. “And most of us Auxiliary members are in our 60s or older,” Spencer added. “It’d be better if we could use the same wreaths as long as they were in good shape, and just replace a few each year.”
Those wishing to donate can reach out to Barnett by calling (620) 380-1814.
Spencer hopes to have the wreaths on hand so they can be placed on Sunday, Dec. 11.
