Submitted Photo Pictured from left at last year’s Wreaths Across America event include: C/SrA Stephen Przybyl, C/SMSgt Rebecca Banach, C/SrA Benjamin LaGrow, C/SrA Sebastian Pencek, C/Amn Lucas Zielinski, C/SrA William Przybyl, C/SSgt Bernadette Banach.Local effort underway to support Wreaths Across America.

The Dunkirk Composite Squadron of Civil Air Patrol is participating for the fourth year announced by Capt. Linda Blodgett.

This year, the ceremony at Forest Hill Cemetery will be held simultaneously across the country joining more than 1,400 participating locations across 50 states on Saturday, Dec. 19 to ensure that veterans laid to rest are Honored on National Wreaths Across America Day. The goal is to place a live, balsam fir wreath at the headstone of Veterans buried there and spread patriotism and commemoration for the ultimate sacrifices they made for our country.

The cadets are participating to learn about and honor our local veterans. They will be the ones placing the wreaths on each headstone. Each wreath is a benefit to WAA and NY-351 Civil Air Patrol Squadron as a fundraiser. The local Squadron receives $5 for each wreath to help with cost of the CAP program which has a focus on Aerospace with the core values of Integrity, Volunteer Service, Excellence and Respect. The cost of each wreath is $15 to honor a serviceman. A serviceman will receive each wreath purchased even without a specific name.

To order a wreath for your serviceman or woman, please go to www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org. Be sure to include the following: Location ID, NYFHCF; fundraising group ID, NY0192P. Or go directly to the Civil Air Patrol site at wreathsacrossamerica.org/ny0192p by Monday.

Questions may be directed to Blodgett at 785-0795

National Wreaths across America Day is a free, non-political event open to all people. Ann Renkin, Sexton, prepares a designated Veteran Name for each Branch of the Armed Services that will receive a wreath during the presentation part of the Program.

The program starts at 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 19. Participants will gather outside the Forest Hill Cemetery Office for the short service and then we proceed to lay the wreaths.

All are welcome to join us at this outside event. Dress warm. Masks are required.