Snow flies across the curving roads and groomed lawns of Resurrection Cemetery in Wescosville. Volunteers distribute wreaths among the graves. Participants in Wreaths Across America, they belong to one of 914 groups who, on the second Saturday in December, honor deceased U.S. Veterans.

Wreaths Across America, a non-profit organization, strives to "Remember, Honor, Teach." According to the organization's mission statement, this goal is achieved "...in part by coordinating wreath laying ceremonies ...at Arlington, as well as other veterans cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond."

Margaret Albert, Resurrection Cemetery's location coordinator, became interested in the program after her husband worked as a volunteer at Cedar Hill Cemetery last December. Albert, who works in Air Products' information technology department, took on the task of incorporating a new location into the program. Since, as Albert states, "[Air Products encourages employees to] whole-heartedly embrace the community and make a difference," she found strong support among her co-workers. Her core team includes seven other women from the Group Mentoring for Women in IT. They are Tina Garavaglia, Michelle Greek, Kathy Haklar, Carol Goodwin, Lorie Karpyn, Katie Simpson and Pat Zajac.

The team began organizational work in June. Since Resurrection Cemetery is under the auspices of the Diocese of Allentown, members of St. Joseph's of Orefield, St. Anne's of Emmaus, and St. Thomas More's of Allentown congregations joined Air Products' employees, retirees, and friends and families to complete the project. Many feel personally connected to the event.

Dave and Linda Reinbold's son-in-law, a Marine, returned from his second tour of duty in Afghanistan in September. In Dave's words, "[This is} a cause that's close to our hearts." Others like Ted Schwartz, whose dad saw action in the Pacific theater during World War II, come to honor both the veterans at rest in Resurrection Cemetery and family members.

Wreaths Across America strives not only to remember and to honor but also to teach. Consequently, young people are encouraged to participate. Air Products IT director and Boy Scout leader Bill Folk accompanied the Scouts of Troop 1600 to lay wreaths and to participate in the ceremony. Jennifer Scott, the stepdaughter of an IT U.S. Coast Guard veteran, performed the national anthem. Folk also concluded the ceremony by playing taps.

Flag bearing wreaths honoring the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, and P.O.W./M.I.A. are provided by the Wreaths Across America national organization. Veterans proudly present these wreaths during the ceremony; they are later distributed throughout the cemetery. The wreaths placed on individual graves are obtained through location specific donations. Albert's group set a first year goal of providing wreaths for half of Resurrection's 1,100 veterans; 700 wreaths were donated. Next year Albert hopes to place a wreath on every grave.

Through hard work and infectious enthusiasm, Albert and her team gathered over 70 volunteers who came to "Remember, Honor, and Teach." However, most participants felt what Albert clearly articulated, "It was an honor for ... us."

For more information on donating to Wreaths Across America, visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.