Wreaths across America to take place Saturday at Long Beach City Cemetery

Wreaths across America started in 1992 with a trailer load of wreaths decorated by volunteers and laid at the graves of fallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

It has now become a national organization with over 2,500 participating locations.

This Saturday, Long Beach’s American Legion Post 1995 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3937 will participate in the National Wreaths across America program at the Long Beach City Cemetery.

The ceremony will include participation from the West Harrison High School JROTC Color Guard, the Long Beach High School Chorus, a Naval Construction Battalion Center chaplain delivering the invocation, and keystone speech by Long Beach Mayor George Bass, and Taps performed by members of the Long Beach High School band.

Charlie Martinek with VFW Post 3937 and American Legion Post 1995 said, “Thousands of wreaths will be laid. I think it’s a fitting way at Christmas time for families to appreciate their veterans. Although we have Memorial Day and Veterans Day this is a good time because families get together and this should be a part of the memories.”

The ceremony is open to the public and volunteers are needed.