RICHMOND, Va. -- Thousands of volunteers laid Christmas wreaths at the graves of fallen service members Saturday during the Wreaths Across America campaign.
Locally wreaths were placed on graves at the Richmond National Cemetery in the East End.
Officials said the program is one way to reflect on the sacrifices the service members made for our nation.
"The importance is to remember our veterans here at Christmas time," James Manning, the Deputy Commander for Cadets at Civil Air Patrol Southside Composite Squad, said. "Every time a cadet or volunteer lays a wreath, they will lay the wreath on the grave then say their name -- and most cadets will salute as they lay the wreath on the grave. "
And it is not too late to help. You can sponsor a wreath, donate to a local fundraising group or volunteer to help remove the wreaths on Jan. 20.
Each year the wreath laying happens at Arlington National Cemetery as well as over 1,100 grave sites across the nation as part of Wreaths Across America.
