Local Civil Air Patrol unit participating in wreath-laying salute to veterans

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SAN ANGELO, Texas --  San Angelo Composite and Texas Leadership Cadet squadrons will be placing wreaths in Belvedere Memorial Park Cemetery, 3504 Arden Road, beginning at 11 a.m. Dec. 10.

A brief ceremony will take place at the All Vet Cemetery within Belvedere with ceremonial wreaths being placed by military leaders from the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, Merchant Marines, and Coast Guard.

Members of the Fort Concho Living History Program will also participate in the program. The general public is invited to join the Civil Air Patrol and lay a wreath in memory of veterans who have sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy today.

Members of Civil Air Patrol are proud to partner once more with Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit initiative that recognizes the courage and sacrifices of U.S. veterans by placing wreaths on the graves of the fallen during the holiday season.

"Our mission is to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach our children the value of freedom," Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America said "Thousands of CAP members participate each year to help us do just that, and, with CAP's help, this project has continued to see remarkable growth."

This year, in tribute to the 25 million men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces -- guarding and preserving America's freedom throughout history -- wreaths from Worcester Wreath Co. in Harrington, Maine, will be placed on 200,000 veterans' graves at more than 500 cemetery or memorial sites in all 50 states, as well as 24 foreign locations.

"Each year, we look forward to the opportunities provided by Wreaths Across America;" CAP National Commander Maj. Gen. Charles L. Carr Jr. said "Laying the wreaths is an honor to our veterans, a service to our communities and a learning experience for our cadets and officers."

Twenty years ago, Morrill Worcester of the Worcester Wreath Co. donated the first wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery, starting an annual tradition that continues today as Wreaths Across America. The initiative began in 2006 as an offshoot of Worcester's Arlington National Cemetery wreath project. Since its inception six years ago, Wreaths Across America has experienced tremendous growth.

Visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org  for more information about Wreaths Across America and participating locations.