'A way to say thank you:' Wreaths Across America event held at Penn Township cemetery

When Sharon Bollenbacher decided to spend her Saturday morning at Jeannette Memorial Park as part of a local initiative for Wreaths Across America, she knew the event would hold extra meaning.

Bollenbacher’s 22-year-old daughter, Laura, is scheduled for her first deployment with the Army the day after Christmas, where she will serve in Africa for about a year.

“It took on added meaning when my daughter decided to enlist,” said Bollenbacher, 58, of Murrysville. “It’s been a series of having to watch her go and then have her come home, but some of the opportunities and some of the experiences that she’s had being part of the Army organization has been amazing.”

Bollenbacher was one of almost 30 volunteers who spent their morning in the Penn Township cemetery, giving their time to Wreaths Across America, a national organization that supplies Maine balsam wreaths to volunteers across the country to place on veterans’ graves.

The local initiative was started by Frank and Linda Drury of Jeannette who came up with the idea in March after seeing similar events in North Huntingdon, Irwin and Salem.

“They didn’t ask,” said Frank Drury on the importance of hosting the event to benefit local veterans. “They did their job.”

Since coming up with the idea, the couple has raised more than $15,000 to supply wreaths to all 611 veterans in Jeannette Memorial Park and another 25 at St. Cyril and Methodius Russian Orthodox Cemetery.

Across the country, 1.7 million veterans were honored with wreaths Saturday at 2,557 locations across the country.

For the Drurys this year, funds largely come from Jeannette businesses, including Stellar Precision Components, which had about 30 employees volunteer. Owner Lori Albright, who also placed wreaths, said her company donated enough to cover the cost of 84 wreaths — one for every employee in the company.

To prepare for the 130 volunteers who would filter in and out of the cemetery throughout the day, the Drurys, with help from the Jeannette Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8240 honor guard, of which Frank Drury is a member, dug snow from each of the veterans’ graves over the past two days after a storm dumped more than 9 inches of snow across the region.

Cardboard boxes filled with green wreaths donning a red ribbon sat along the road in areas near where veterans are buried.

Jillian Grosely, 35, of Greensburg was one of the volunteers Saturday morning. Grosely, who brought her 6-year-old son, Rocco, comes from a military family.

“I grew up in the south off of Fort Stewart, so military presence was everywhere when I grew up,” said Grosely, noting the Georgia base. “It’s not as ingrained in the north, we’re a bit distanced from that, so any opportunity to show Rocco what it is to be an American is important.”

Paul Stein, 61, of Latrobe added, “My father was a veteran, and I think we need to honor veterans as much as possible. That’s one of the reasons I’m out.”

While several people voiced interest in volunteering for Wreaths Across America, Frank and Linda Drury had to limit how many people were able to come due to the coronavirus pandemic. Volunteers were required to pre-register to ensure outdoor gathering limits, and social distancing mandates were met.

A ceremony that would take place in the morning was also canceled so people wouldn’t congregate, but members of the VFW honor guard played taps to commemorate the event.

Despite the pandemic, the Drurys knew it was important to honor veterans who fought for the country.

“It’s been a rough year, and I think it’s nice to give back to the community and the veterans and just a way to say thank you,” Linda Drury said.

The Drurys hope to continue with the event next year, expanding into other cemeteries in Jeannette. Funds not used this year will go toward next year’s event.