Hundreds of people gathered as more than 4,000 wreaths were placed Saturday in an Allentown cemetery, one of many such events being held across the nation to honor veterans.
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“I laid the first wreath out here”, said McKay, who is the transportation coordinator for the program.
“We’re hoping to get more people to come out this year”, she said.
Wreaths Across America prepared earlier in the week to lay wreaths at veterans graves all over the country, including at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Wreaths Across America estimates that around 1 million wreaths were placed nationwide.
“I remember bringing in the wreaths on a bike trailer and in a pickup truck”.
By 2010, Wreaths Across America placed 220,000 memorial wreaths at 545 locations.
The Nebraska Patriot Guard Riders raised money for the wreaths, laying down more than 600 of them on graves across the cemetery. Each one costs $15 and post officials say since they started the ceremony three years ago, they have collected enough money to cover every grave site.
Wreaths Across America began in 1992 when an owner of wreath company found he had a surplus and sent them to Arlington National Cemetary.
Always active in school and social groups, Cameron also knew how important it is to remember and pay tribute to those in the military.
During the ceremony 8 wreaths were set on display by members of each military branch to honor each and every hero during the holiday season. Last year’s ceremony marked the 150th anniversary of Arlington National Cemetery.
“This is the biggest one I’ve seen so far”, he said about the crowd.
She was a captain in the Air Force during the Vietnam War and patched up the young men injured in battle.
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“Three of them are veteran pilots”, she said.
