Community volunteers place wreaths on veterans’ graves near Valley Forge

by medianews group

VALLEY FORGE — As part of National Wreaths Across America Day, the Friends of the Medal of Honor Grove and Founding Forward honored the fallen heroes and paid tribute to 3,500+ Medal of Honor recipients during Wreaths Across the Grove.

The Medal of Honor Grove, part of Founding Forward’s 75-acre civic education campus adjacent to Valley Forge National Historical Park, consists of 42 acres that honor all 3,500+ Medal of Honor recipients by the state or territory from which they enlisted in service.

The Fife and drum lead the way to the Medal of Honor Grove for the wreath-laying ceremony. (Photo by Barry Taglieber/For MediaNews Group)

The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force for those who serve in the armed services of the United States. Each state or territory has a brick plaza centered on a 7-foot-tall obelisk modeled after the Washington Monument.

Every obelisk bears the state seal and the names of the recipients from that state, and ground plaques throughout each area bear the recipient’s name, service branch, and date of action.

Mark Ryan of the Friends of the Medal of Honor Grove puts a wreath on one of the monuments. (Photo by Barry Taglieber/For MediaNews Group)

Wreaths Across America takes place every December at more than 4,500 locations across America, at sea and abroad to honor service members who have served and sacrificed.

The wreaths were placed by hundreds of volunteers and were funded by generous donations from individuals and organizations throughout the community.

Jon Meko plays taps during the Wreath Across American ceremony at the Medal of Honor Grove. (Photo by Barry Taglieber/For MediaNews Group)

100-year-old Col. Frank Harris III, who retired after 34 years of service in the Marine Corps, was a guest of honor at the Wreaths Across the Grove event. (Photo by Barry Taglieber/For MediaNews Group)

In 2017, Schuylkill Township, the Chester County Commissioners, Founding Forward, and Natural Lands Trust placed a conservation easement on the Medal of Honor Grove, ensuring its preservation in perpetuity. The Friends added the Friends’ Education Center in 2021 to house outdoor programs and events and a Gazebo in 2022 to honor military personnel killed in training accidents.

This natural woodland is the oldest living memorial honoring these brave individuals. The Grove is maintained and cared for by the Friends of the Medal of Honor Grove.

Wreaths are lined up ready for laying at the monuments in the Medal of Honor Grove. (Photo by Barry Taglieber/For MediaNews Group)

The Friends of the Medal of Honor Grove is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created in 2011 to maintain, improve, and enhance the Medal of Honor Grove. To learn more about the Friends of the Medal of Honor Grove, visit www.friendsmohgrove.org or email contact@friendsmohgrove.org.

Founding Forward is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that fosters immersive education experiences for students, teachers, and citizens through an array of in-person programs, historic resources and collections, scholarships, awards, speaker programs, and other unique learning opportunities. To learn more about Founding Forward, visit www.foundingforward.org or email info@foundingforward.org.