You might call it a platoon or a squadron or a detail, but regardless of the name you use, the “Veterans at the Library” are a force with a mission. They come from all of the military services, and they still understand what service means. Starting early this year with about 14 loyal members, the group began work on its biggest project yet: bringing Wreaths Across America to Emanuel County. Now with an attendance of 30 to 35 each week, the operation is rapidly picking up momentum, and by the end of October, the group will have a master list of hundreds of veterans’ names and places of burial. On December 17, every grave of every Emanuel county veteran whose name has been reported will be honored by the placement of a live Christmas wreath. Members of the group will be dispatched all across the county on that Saturday to place the wreaths, or family or friends can choose to pick up the wreath and place it themselves. Project Chairman John Tapley explained that the group has only one objective; “We just want to make sure that we honor the memory of every veteran we possibly can in Emanuel County during this coming Christmas season. We have had great response from the public, but this is a big job. We believe that we may be placing over 700 wreaths, and we can use all the volunteer help we can get when the wreaths arrive in December.” The project is affiliated with the national Wreaths Across America campaign. The “Veterans at the Library” would like to thank the staff and Franklin Memorial Library Director for their support and especially Shari Watt for her assistance with the project. The public is reminded that names of veterans can still be submitted and added to the list until October 31 either through a form available in each week’s issue of The Forest-Blade or by directly contacting Shari Watt at the Library (478) 237-7791.
