The community also is invited to participate and to donate in the event, which places wreaths on the tombstones of veterans in remembrance of their service and sacrifice.
Slick Hultquist and Toni Funderburg have volunteered to organize the Wreaths Across America ceremony this year, which will be held at Hartley Cemetery in Lakeport at 8:45 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 11.
The second Saturday in December will mark the 19th anniversary of Maine wreaths being donated to be placed on headstones at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
This year also is the sixth year of the national wreath sponsorship campaign under the guidance of the nonprofit www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org, which will bring the same remembrance wreaths to national and state veterans cemeteries, monuments and community centers all across the nation.
This will be the fourth year that wreaths have been laid at the Veterans Circle in a ceremony at Hartley Cemetery.
Specially designated wreaths for the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, and POW/MIA will be placed on memorials during a ceremony that will be coordinated simultaneously at over 400 participating locations all across the country.
The Motto for Wreaths Across America is: Remember – the fallen; Honor – those who serve; and Teach – our children the value of freedom.
“Teach” is the key word of the motto for 2010, and it's the most important part of the mission. The veterans have done their part, the military and their families are doing their part, and for the community to do its part everyone must instill in their children the importance of the sacrifices of these heroes – and their families.
This year thousands of young people from all over the country will participate in laying wreaths on the graves of more than 200,000 veterans’ graves at 500 locations all over the US and 24 off shore during the holidays.
The Scouts, Sea Scouts and the Royal Rangers will participate in the ceremony which includes raising the colors and laying the seven wreaths at the Veterans’ Circle at Hartley Cemetery.
Pastor Garry Zeek will give the invocation and a brief history of the Wreaths Across America. The Lake County Military Funeral Honors Team will provide the three rifle volleys and the playing of “Taps.”
This year Boy Scout Troop 42 would like to further honor our Veterans by laying wreaths on the individual grave sites at Hartley.
A sponsorship of a wreath is $15. The wreaths will be laid by the Boy Scouts prior to the ceremony. It is their hope to honor the 200 veterans laid at rest at Hartley.
Should you desire to sponsor a wreath for a veteran, please stop by Lakeport Tire & Auto Service, 1901 S. Main St. or call 707-263-5422 for details.
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