Photo courtesy of Daily Local News.

Wreaths Across America will visit the town of Oxford and surrounding areas on Dec. 16 to remember veterans with the laying of wreaths. 

For the last few years, Clarissa Sherrow’s name has become synonymous with Wreaths Across America effort in Oxford, as she has worked diligently as a fundraiser and organizer for this initiative since 2019.

Each December, on National Wreaths Across America Day, the mission to Remember, Honor and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 3,700 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad.

One added bonus of the ceremony is that many small cemeteries, once forgotten or neglected, have been brought back into the spotlight, rescued and renewed as a result of this effort.

The event began at Oxford with 50 wreaths. This year they will be laying 1350 wreaths though-out the Oxford area.

“Sadly, the number has increased because we are losing so many veterans,” Sherrow said.

The ceremony will begin at noon on Dec. 16 at the Oxford Cemetery.

“Each year I try to add a little more education. This year’s addition will be very interesting and one the public will not want to miss,” she said.

That is all she would say about the educational aspect because she wants to keep it under wraps and pleasantly surprise the community.

They will also be laying wreaths at Lincoln University, a small cemetery on Mt. Olive Road, at the Mennonite Church on Media Road, at the cemetery on Cemetery Road in Nottingham, another in Russellville, one at Little Elk Creek Road and one at the Fremont Cemetery.

Like many communities nationwide, Oxford is only too happy to assist with this event.

Typically, the truck with the wreaths arrives at the Union Fire Company’s Oxford location. In the past, the Chester County Sheriff’s Department, the Oxford Police Department, and the local Boy Scouts assist with the effort, and sometimes they receive a motorcycle escort as well.

“All of this would not be possible without the generous support of the community. This year we had a Corn Hole Tournament to raise money, and we have numerous major corporate donors, along with many individuals,” she explained.

Sherrow said people should always prepare for possible cold or inclement weather.

“They need to show up at the Oxford Cemetery where we have an event that usually includes our local representatives, and numerous veterans and their families. We sing the National Anthem and then let the community loose to lay wreaths,” she said.

The 2.7 million wreaths are handmade in Maine.

Wreaths are also placed on veterans’ graves at Arlington National Cemetery on the same day.

For more information about the Wreaths Across America effort in Oxford, contact Clarissa Sherrow at 484-645-4513.