Wreaths ceremony next weekend

STEPTOE - The local branch of Wreaths Across America (WAA) is hosting a wreath-laying ceremony at noon next Saturday, Dec. 14.

The annual ceremony is in observance of National Wreaths Across America Day at Bethel Cemetery on Scholz Road in Steptoe.

Organizer Cherry Alice Van Tine said the event will honor 123 veterans this year, one more than last year.

"We appreciate all the people who pay for a wreath for their family veteran or friend veteran," Van Tine said, adding that they also receive donations to cover the ones that do not have family anymore.

"Businesses and people have been so generous to purchase those wreaths," she said. "If anyone is interested and wants to sponsor a wreath they can get in touch with me or LaVonne Hall."

The Steptoe School 6th, 7th and 8th graders will be at the cemetery on Friday, Dec. 13, to help set up.

"We unpack the crates and fluff up the wreaths and the bows and place them along the road so people can pick them up and place them," Van Tine said. "Or the kids place them because we know there are a lot of people that can't come."

Van Tine said if anybody has specific graves they want a wreath on they can come put a wreath themselves or they can contact her and she or a veteran will put a wreath on there.

The National Organization works with local programs to deliver veterans' wreaths for placement at Arlington National Cemetery. The escort stops at schools and monuments in various communities along the East Coast route to share the organization's mission to Remember, Honor and Teach about the nation's heroes.

Van Tine said the National Organization is placing thousands of wreaths this year. With more than 4,600 locations across the United States.

The National Organization is shipping over 3.5 million wreaths to the locations, growing significantly with over 6,000 sponsorship groups and more than 4,200 participating locations nationwide.