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National cemetery to take part in Wreaths Across America
Fort Scott National Cemetery will be one of more than 100 locations nationwide participating in Saturday's Wreaths Across America.
The wreath-laying ceremony is aimed at honoring and remembering the nation's veterans. The Civil Air Patrol, veterans service organizations and local citizens coordinate the event to honor each branch of the military, plus the Merchant Marine, prisoners of war and those still missing in action, a news release said.
The ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Fort Scott National Cemetery, 900 E. National Ave.
Cemetery Technician Richard Wheeler said the event has been held here for at least five years.
VFW Post 1165 presents the colors and opens the ceremony. A wreath for each branch of the armed services, Merchant Marine, POWs and MIAs are placed in recognition of their service by a member of each branch. Wheeler said this is especially poignant during the holiday season.
Along with stateside locations, wreaths are also placed at national cemeteries on foreign soil. Anyone wishing to purchase wreath can visit the Wreaths Across America website and one will be delivered to the National Cemetery of their choice.
On Saturday, Dec. 11, Wheeler said, the wreaths are opened after the ceremony and the family that has ordered one can place it on their loved one's gravesite.
Guest speaker this year will be Ken Lyon, adjutant and finance officer of American Legion Post 25 in Fort Scott.
Two Gold Star Mothers -- mothers who have lost a son, or daughter in combat -- will also speak at the ceremony, Wheeler said.
James Stradley, chaplain for the VFW, will offer the invocation and benediction. Middle school boys will sing the "Star Spangled Banner" and Steve Harry and Bill Hall will play "Echo Taps" -- because two people will be playing the melody. The VFW will retire the colors.
Wreaths Across America, a non profit organization, was formed as an extension of the Arlington Wreath Project. It was started as the Arlington Wreath program in 1992 by Morrill Worcester of Harrington, Maine-based Worcester Wreath Co. with the donation and laying of 5,000 Christmas wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery, according to the Wreaths Across America website.
It was relatively obscure until 2005 when a photo of the stones adorned with wreaths and covered in snow circulated around the Internet. The project received national attention and thousands of requests poured in from all over the country from people wanting to emulate the Arlington project at their national and state cemeteries.
Unable to donate thousands of wreaths to each state, Worcester came up with the idea of sending seven wreaths -- one for each branch of the military, as well as POWs and MIAs. In 2006 with the help of the Civil Air Patrol and other civic organizations, more than 150 locations held wreath-laying ceremonies simultaneously.
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