Christmas Wreath Laying at South Dakota Veterans Cemetery Scheduled
It's a tradition that has now reached its 30th year in America and you can take part later this month in South Dakota, honoring those who served to preserve the freedoms we hold so dear.
Saturday, December 17, the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs, in partnership with the Midwest Honor Flight and Wreaths Across America, will host a wreath-laying ceremony in the Committal Shelter at the South Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Sioux Falls.
The event begins at 11:00 AM.
The day will begin with a 30-minute program, after which guests are encouraged to assist in placing wreaths at all veterans' gravesites.
Midwest Honor Flight, and their partners, are providing the wreaths.
The tradition of laying wreaths to honor our veterans during the holiday season began in 1992 when Morrill Worcester of Worcester Wreath Company (Harrington, Maine) was left with a number of extra wreaths at the close of the holiday season.
Remembering a boyhood trip to the Nation’s Capital, and the sacred grounds of Arlington National Cemetery, he donated 5,000 wreaths to be placed at the headstones of an older section of the cemetery.
Today, more than 2,500 locations participate on a Saturday in December in laying the wreaths out of remembrance and respect for our nation's brave servicemen and women.