A Summit Hill teenager is hoping to pay tribute to late area veterans by bringing the Wreaths Across America to Carbon County.

Gabriel DeMatto, a junior at Carbon Career & Technical Institute and the son of Maria and Francis DeMatto, recently approached the Rev. Allen Hoffa, pastor of St. Joseph Parish of the Panther Valley, about starting a program that would place wreaths on the graves of veterans who were buried in the parish’s cemeteries, much like the national program does as a way to honor the fallen and teach younger generations about the meaning of sacrifice and selfless service.

“I came up with the idea one day last year around Thanksgiving,” DeMatto said. “I’ve always loved visiting the Arlington National Cemetery, and it’s always been a dream of mine to help with their wreath laying ... so I began thinking. I decided why don’t I make an attempt to bring a wreath laying locally, specifically to Summit Hill because it’s the town I grew up in.”

Hoffa brought DeMatto’s idea to Carbon County Veterans Affairs director Christine LeClair, in the hopes of helping the 17-year-old get his project off the ground.

“He initially wanted to do the cemeteries that are associated with St. Joseph Church in Summit Hill, but I asked him to open it to the county to see who else may be interested,” LeClair said. “Over the years, quite a few people have approached me and asked about bringing Wreaths Across America to our local cemeteries. I loved the idea, but knew that it would require more time than I was able to give.”

LeClair and DeMatto teamed up to see if this idea could pay tribute to more than the veterans laid to rest in the cemeteries associated with St. Joseph.

“I plan to collect donations and wreaths by setting up an account for donations, and looking into a location for drop offs as it gets closer,” DeMatto said, noting that the reason he wants to do this is because he has grown up in a military family, from his great-grandfather down to his father. “I aspire to attend the United States Naval Academy, or acquire the NROTC Scholarship to become an officer in our nation’s Navy, or Marine Corps.”

LeClair said that the project needs dedicated coordinators in each area of the county to make DeMatto’s idea a success, not only in Summit Hill, but in the whole county. Each site coordinator would need to take responsibility of a cemetery and be in charge of finding volunteers and donations.

DeMatto hopes to kick of the program soon and he and LeClair are asking for area veterans organizations to help.

“Carbon County is rich in volunteerism and patriotism and there is no doubt in my mind that we would have an abundance of donations and volunteers to make this a success here,” LeClair said, noting that several local scout troops already collect for Wreaths Across America at Fort Indiantown Gap.

“I believe past veterans need to be recognized more for the ultimate sacrifice that they made to protect our country,” DeMatto said. “Without the help of the public this venture to recognize our military would not be possible.”

To help DeMatto’s cause by fundraising or to become a site coordinator, LeClair said she can be reached at cleclair@carboncounty.net or at her office number 570-325-3986. If no site coordinators come forward, only the cemeteries of St. Joseph Parish of the Panther Valley will be included in DeMatto’s project.