On Saturday, Dec. 18, community members are invited to place wreaths on the graves of veterans throughout Mount Bethel Cemetery as part of Wreaths Across America. The ceremony will begin at noon at the cemetery, 700 Locust St., Columbia, and will honor veterans from all branches of the military.

"This event honors our fallen veterans," said Claire Storm, a member of the Friends of Mount Bethel Cemetery. "It is our duty and our privilege to honor them. Many gave their lives for the freedoms we enjoy."

Retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Spike Gaylord Grant will serve as master of ceremonies. Retired veterans who will participate in the program are Harold Thomas, representing the Coast Guard; Sandra Duncan, representing the Air Force; LuAnn Grant, representing the Army; Harry Knighton, representing the Navy; Jason Price II, representing the Marines; George Biagio, representing the Merchant Marines; and Albert Storm, representing prisoners of war and those who were missing in action. There will be a color guard, Jerry Breneisen will play taps, and Vet 21 Salute Honor Guard will provide a rifle salute.

Several hundred sponsored wreaths will arrive at the cemetery prior to the ceremony, Claire said, noting that anyone can sponsor a wreath. "Members of the community are invited to participate by placing these wreaths on the graves of veterans throughout the cemetery," she stated. "There are over 600 veterans buried at Mount Bethel from every war in which the U.S. military participated beginning with the Revolutionary War up through the Vietnam War."

Wreaths Across America is a national nonprofit organization. The idea for the tribute began as a seed that was planted when Morrill Worcester, a 12-year-old paperboy for the Bangor Maine Daily News, won a trip to Washington, D.C. Arlington National Cemetery made a lasting impression on Morrill, who later became the owner of Worcester Wreath Company. In 1992, with a surplus of wreaths near the end of the holiday season, he remembered visiting Arlington and arranged for wreaths to be placed in the cemetery. The idea became a nationwide effort in 2005, when a photo of wreath-adorned stones at the cemetery spawned interest from people across the country wanting to participate in similar tributes locally.

Mount Bethel Cemetery has been participating in Wreaths Across America since 2017. "Anyone who attends the ceremony is welcome to place a wreath," Claire remarked. For more information or to sponsor a wreath, visit http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/PA0358P.