Wreath event a passion for Oregon man

Doug Sweeney, of Oregon, is once again seeking recognition for the nearly 1,000 veterans buried at Willow Cemetery by participating in the annual Wreaths Across America Day event.
The son of a veteran of the Korean Conflict, Sweeney had worked as a seasonal worker at the cemetery before retiring and has an affinity for those who served in the military.
“This will be my third year raising money for Wreaths Across America,” he said. “I’ve been talking to the local businesses. I’m doing OK. The guys from the Dunberger (American Legion) Post are always 100 percent on board. They do all the ceremonies and even make a nice donation. I was at the post this morning and told the guys I don’t care if I lay one wreath, I just wanted the place to know that we do think about you and what you’ve given us. Freedom is a beautiful thing.”
To donate through Wreaths Across America to veterans’ grave sites at Willow Cemetery go to the organization’s website. The location ID is OHWCPR and the Group ID is OH0217.
Veterans of the Spanish American War, Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korean and Vietnam conflicts are buried at the Willow Cemetery.
This year, the Wreaths Across America event is scheduled for Dec. 18.
“Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 2,500 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad,” the organization’s website says.
Last month, Sweeney returned for a week to Arlington National Cemetery where he again joined the crew of Greenleaf Services, Inc., a veteran-owned company that mows the cemetery lawn.
The dedication of the crew members to the work they put in on the hallowed grounds inspires him, he said, adding that several were immigrants from Central America who were particularly proud to now be living in this country.
“Their patriotism is second to none,” Sweeney said. “I don’t think enough is said about the people, especially in these times of problems at the border. Two of the guys came here 25 years ago and the only thing they could think about was becoming legal citizens of the U.S.”
He plans to make another trip to the cemetery next year but unlike his first two visits in 2018 and 2019, which were in the summer, Sweeney said he’ll be there in October as he was this year.
“We had beautiful weather there this time,” he said. “One thing I’ve learned is I don’t want to be in the D.C. area in that hot, humid weather anymore.”
Sweeney can be reached at 419-262-6024.