ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The local organization that places wreaths on gravesites at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery needs your help. Gateway Blue Star Mothers is the local point organization for Wreaths Across America, which last year placed 1.8 million wreaths in national cemeteries across the country. Gateway's Third Vice-President Kathy Schulte tells KMOX her goal this year was to place 50,000 wreaths at Jefferson Barracks.
"We do have a ways to go," Schulte says. "Jefferson Barracks had 11,000 sponsored wreaths last year, which was double from the year before. That's why we set such a lofty goal. We thought we could get there."
In addition to sponsored wreaths, the cemetery receives some from other locations. Schulte says last year about 20,000 were donated to Jefferson Barracks from elsewhere, but she points out those are not guaranteed so they can't count on having them.
Wreaths can be sponsored by individuals, groups or corporations. They're $15 dollars each from the Gateway Blue Star Mothers' website. They'll be placed throughout the cemetery by volunteers on Dec. 14.
Eventually, Schulte says, she'd like to have enough to decorate all 188,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks, "We have a way, way long time to go."
The ceremony is at the old flagpole in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery at 11 a.m. If you wish to volunteer Schulte says you're free to just show up and suggests wearing comfortable shoes.