Wreaths will be placed on the gravesites of veterans at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery this weekend as part of the national Wreaths Across America movement.

This year, the local holiday wreath-laying ceremony for National Wreaths Across America Day takes place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at Old Flag Circle at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.  The event will honor veterans of each branch of the military, the Merchant Marine, prisoners of war and those still missing in action, or POW/MIA.

For more information on how to volunteer locally or to sponsor a wreath for a hero, visit www.gatewaybsm.org/wreathsacrossamerica/ The deadline for sponsoring wreaths for this year was Dec. 1.

Each year on National Wreaths Across America Day, millions of Americans come together to remember the fallen, honor those that serve and their families,

and teach the next generation about the value of freedom.

The Worcester Wreath Company began donating holiday wreaths in tribute to veterans at national cemeteries in 2006.

In 2018, nearly 1.8 million veteran wreaths were placed on headstones at 1,640 participating cemeteries around the country in honor of the service and sacrifices made for our freedoms, with each name said out loud.

Locally at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery (JBNC), the volunteers from the community placed over 25,000 wreaths, of which 11,000 were sponsored by members of the community.

This year Gateway Blue Star Mothers, who host Wreaths Across America at JBNC, had a goal of 50,000 sponsored wreaths for 2019.

Each year, a new theme is chosen by the national organization to help local volunteers and supporters focus their messaging and outreach. This year, the theme is “Everyone plays a part,” and the Gateway Blue Star Mothers are counting on the St. Louis community to sponsor wreaths or donate time to place wreaths to make this event a success.