Bellefontaine will once again take part in National Wreaths Across America Day as volunteers honor local veterans with a special wreath-laying ceremony.
On Saturday, Bellefontaine City Cemetery and Calvary Cemetery will join more than 5,600 locations nationwide in placing wreaths on the graves of fallen service members.
Local sponsorship groups have worked throughout the year to support the effort.
This year, 1,737 wreaths will be laid across Logan County.
That includes 912 wreaths at Bellefontaine City Cemetery, 125 wreaths at Calvary Cemetery, 500 wreaths at Belle Center’s Fairview Cemetery, and 200 wreaths at cemeteries in Rushcreek Township.
The Bellefontaine ceremony begins at 10 a.m. at Makley Hall, 316 East Patterson Avenue, Bellefontaine.
Afterward, volunteers will travel to each cemetery to place the wreaths — Bellefontaine City Cemetery at 632 East Brown Avenue and Calvary Cemetery at 1793 County Road 18.
Brigadier General Matthew S. Woodruff, Ohio Adjutant General, will deliver remarks.
Father Shawn Landenwitch will provide the invocation and benediction.
Rushsylvania will also join in the festivities on Saturday at noon.
A brief ceremony will be held at the main entrance of the cemetery with the Honor Guard and Color Guard participating.
Volunteers will place 200 wreaths on veteran graves.
The Wreaths Across America program ensures that every veteran laid to rest in participating cemeteries receives a wreath as a mark of respect and remembrance.
The ceremony brings communities together to honor fallen heroes and show support for military families.
Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization that began in 1992 when businessman Morrill Worcester and his company donated 5,000 wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery.
Since then, the program has expanded nationwide to more than 3,700 participating locations, including international sites.
In 2018, the mission grew overseas with wreath placements at Normandy American Cemetery in France.
The organization’s mission is to Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom.
Each December, Congress designates a Saturday as National Wreaths Across America Day.
Local communities — including Bellefontaine, Urbana, St. Paris, and Belle Center — are encouraged to support this effort by sponsoring wreaths or volunteering for the ceremonies.
With community involvement, no veteran will be forgotten during the holiday season.
Champaign County ceremonies will also take place on Saturday.
A ceremony will begin at the gazebo at Oakdale Cemetery promptly at noon, the Honor Guard will fire 3 volleys, and Echo Taps will be played by Urbana High School Band members.
While the Evergreen Cemetery in St. Paris event will begin at 10 a.m.
Veterans, students, and community members will place 1,379 wreaths in Urbana, while Evergreen Cemetery will place 284 wreaths.
To sponsor a wreath or learn more about the program, visit the official Wreaths Across America website.
