Bloomingdale Mayor Dave Gaffney, right, was master of ceremonies at Bloomingdale Cemetery. Contributed
UNIONPORT While there were a number of area cemeteries among the locations for Wreaths Across America ceremonies, five cemeteries in Wayne Township and one in Salem Township were first-time participants on Dec. 19.
“Our communities had a beautiful day with a lot of volunteers,” commented Le’Ann Gibbons, worthy matron of Unionport Chapter No. 360 Order of the Eastern Star, who coordinated the effort to have several cemeteries registered as WAA locations and ceremonies conducted there.
“This year we were asked to become more involved in our communities,” Gibbons said of how the OES got involved in the effort that began earlier this year. “As incoming worthy matron, I asked the chapter if I could start my project early. I had picked Wreaths Across America and wanted to start with three wreaths in the cemetery at Unionport. That cemetery is where our lodge is located