NEWS BRIEFS: Andersonville site plans wreath ceremony Dec. 14

National Park Service photo.

Andersonville National Historic Site invites you to remember and honor military veterans during this winter season by participating in our Wreaths Across America event. At noon on Saturday, December 14, a brief ceremony will be held in Andersonville National Cemetery to honor America’s armed forces. The ceremony will be open to the public with limited seating available. After the ceremony, attendees will be invited to place wreaths on graves in the national cemetery. This event and entrance to the park will be free of charge. To learn more, including how to participate in placing wreaths, go to our website at www.nps.gov/ande/planyourvisit/wreaths-event.htm

Wreaths Across America’s yearly mission is to place wreaths on the graves of military service members buried in national cemeteries across the country. Andersonville National Historic Site is grateful for the continued partnership and support of Wreaths Across America, the Bennett Family of Companies, the Taylor Family Foundation, Friends of Andersonville, the American Ex-Prisoners of War, Truist Bank, and the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office for this annual event. For more information about the Wreaths Across America program, go to www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

Andersonville National Historic Site is located 10 miles south of Oglethorpe, Ga. and 10 miles northeast of Americus, Ga. on Georgia Highway 49. The national park features the National Prisoner of War Museum, Andersonville National Cemetery, and the site of the historic Camp Sumter Civil War prison. 

Andersonville National Historic Site is the only unit of the National Park System to serve as a memorial to all American prisoners of war. 

New segment of Western Gwinnett Parkway to open

On Peachtree Boulevard, the West Parkway is on the right

Gwinnett officials will unveil a new segment of the Western Gwinnett Pathway, spanning five miles between Rogers Bridge Road and Suwanee Dam Road. As a part of the 2018 Gwinnett Countywide Trails Master Plan, the pathway — with the vision to connect the Loop Trail — will extend 17 miles, connecting Shorty Howell Park, the Gwinnett Place Mall area, the Gas South District, and the cities of Duluth and Suwanee. Approximately $7 million of the total $14 million project was funded by the county’s SPLOST program. The new segment will be unveiled at 9:30 a.m. on December 12, weather permitting.

NOTABLE

Deadline approaches for Washington Youth Tour

Jackson Electric Membership Corporation is accepting applications for the annual Washington Youth Tour,  a premier leadership and educational opportunity for high school students. This all-expense-paid experience in Washington, D.C., is scheduled for June 13-20, 2025, and is sponsored by the nation’s electric cooperatives.

Current high school sophomores and juniors in the Jackson EMC service area are encouraged to apply by 5 p.m. on January 31, 2025.  Applicants should demonstrate academic success, community service and leadership potential. Students may apply directly online at www.jacksonemc.com/wyt or be nominated by a teacher or guidance counselor.

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