A new local event will be held this weekend to remember, honor and teach about the sacrifice of veterans.
850 wreaths will be laid on veterans graves at North Main Cemetery in Butler by volunteers at 12 noon. Organizer Chuck Veazey said he was inspired by previous events involving veterans.
“On Memorial Day, a lot of veterans organizations put American flags down on where veterans are laid to rest, so we used that as our guide,” Veazey said. “I spent a few hours that week at the cemetery, to see how many veterans are there and what we need to do to make that happen in December.”
The Presentation of Wreaths is a worldwide effort at numerous locations including Arlington National Cemetery started in 1992 to raise awareness of the need to honor veterans.
Donna Croft is a member of the General Richard Butler Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution which is one of the sponsors of this event.
“They send us seven ceremonial wreaths and each of those represents a branch of service plus the P.O.W.-M.I.A.,” Croft said. “And so we have someone from each branch of the service who will place a wreath on a stand, to honor those who have fallen.”
“It’s a very moving ceremony. It’s beautiful,” Croft said.
This community event will take place no matter the weather.