For the ninth year in a row, members of Missouri Wing Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, are partnering with Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit organization that recognizes U.S. military veterans who have guarded and preserved America’s freedom, by placing remembrance wreaths on the graves of the fallen during the holiday season.

“We are able to live as we do because of the sacrifices of these men and women,” stated Lt. Col. Wayne Merritt of Civil Air Patrol’s Maine Wing, who first involved the Civil Air Patrol, or CAP, in Wreaths Across America. “We are able to speak freely and go as we please. We must never stop thanking our veterans. They must never be forgotten.”

By placing remembrance wreaths on the graves of military veterans during the holiday season, Wreaths Across America seeks to remember, honor and teach others about the courage and sacrifices of the men and women who have served in the armed forces. Last year, wreaths were placed on more than 700,000 veterans’ graves at more than 900 cemetery or memorial sites in all 50 states, as well as 24 foreign locations.

Wreaths Across America culminates on Dec. 13 with thousands of wreaths placed on gravesites at Arlington National Cemetery and numerous ceremonies held at many of Arlington’s memorials, including the Tomb of the Unknowns. Simultaneous ceremonies will be held throughout the day at veterans’ cemeteries and memorials nationwide and abroad, including Missouri.

CAP is the largest group fundraising for Wreaths Across America, and its members also lead or participate, often with color and honor guards, in many of the ceremonies at war memorials and cemeteries.

Missouri Wing CAP units in Kansas City, Malden, Springfield, St. Louis, Webb City, and Wentzville will place wreaths in those cities. A total of 30 veterans’ cemeteries or sites across the state participating in this year’s event. Lt. Col. David A. Miller, Missouri Wing CAP deputy director of public affairs, will lead the ceremony at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

“Each year, we look forward to the opportunities provided by Wreaths Across America,” stated CAP immediate past national commander Maj. Gen. Charles L. Carr Jr. “Laying wreaths is an honor to our veterans, a service to our communities and a learning experience for our cadets and officers.”

The Missouri Wing of the CAP is comprised of more 1,000 members organized in almost 40 units throughout the state. The wing conducted 12 search and rescue missions, as well as eight other state support missions, in 2013 and was credited with eight finds.

CAP, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with 60,000 members nationwide, operating a fleet of 550 aircraft.

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for more information about Wreaths Across America and participating locations.