Due to a last minute wave of contributions and sponsorships, all indications are a giant sea of green balsam wreaths with big red bows will spread over the entire Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls, Minn. to honor every one of our countries fallen veterans buried there. The laying of wreaths will take place shortly after the National Rememberance Ceremony, traditionally the third Saturday of December, which will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15 this year. Next year and thereafter, the event will be held the second Saturday in December.
“At the last count there were 3,798 gravesites at the cemetery,” said John Thomas, president of Wreaths for the Fallen. “And more will be added by Dec. 15. All indications at this time show we will be able to honor all the veterans buried there this year with a large natural handmade balsam bough wreath with a big red bow. It’s a miracle about to happen. Wreath requests to honor our countries fallen veterans have been substantially higher than last year. WreathsForTheFallen.org and their many volunteers have been working hard during the past few years to obtain this goal and recent large contributions from various organizations have made this possible.”
For a number of years now the annual ceremony has been conducted at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery honoring those veterans who have served honorably for our country. After the ceremony consisting of representatives from each branch of the military, several thousand wreaths will be placed on various markers of our fallen veterans. Many volunteers from the Minnesota Civil Air Patrol and the Minnesota Patriot Guard perform the honor of placing the wreaths on the grave sites. The public is invited to the ceremony and wreath placement. It’s suggested to arrive before 10 a.m. The ceremony starts at 11 a.m. sharp. Wreath placement begins at about 11:20 a.m.
A group from Eagle Bend will provide lots of hot coffee, hot cider and other refreshments for all attending.
For those who would like to make a general donation to this worthy cause, please feel free to contribute to the wreath general fund for the 2013 event. For additional information, contact John Thomas at 218-829-6622 or visit www.WreathsForTheFallen.org.