Generations join in the Wreaths Across America ceremony

POLAND

Michelle Bova grew up attending the Poland Presbyterian Church, walking past the nearby Poland Village Cemetery countless times over the years, but only recently learned that one of her ancestors is buried there.

James Stephenson, Bova’s fifth-generation grandfather, was laid to rest in an unmarked grave. Stephenson, who came to the United States from Northern Ireland, fought for his new country in the War of 1812.

That’s why Bova, 56, and her mother, Irene Weaver, 86, were at the cemetery Saturday morning to take part in the Wreaths Across America ceremony. The historical cemetery holds the remains of 13 veterans of the Revolutionary War, 13 from the War of 1812, and 10 from the Civil War.

Pine wreaths were laid on the graves of each of those veterans during the ceremony. A similar ceremony was later in the day at a graveyard in Ellsworth.

Bova said a relative from Pennsylvania was doing genealogy research and learned about Stephenson’s military service, and discovered where he was buried.

Read MORE in Sunday's VINDICATOR.