Thousands Of Wreaths Needed At Alexandria National Cemetery

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Each year, Wreaths Across America events happen around the U.S. to remember and honor military service members. This year volunteers will lay remembrance wreaths at the grave sites of veterans Saturday, Dec. 16 at veterans' cemeteries.

While the largest event typically happens at Arlington National Cemetery, there's another happening at Alexandria National Cemetery (1450 Wilkes Street). The ceremony in Alexandria will take place at noon.

Close to 500 volunteers have signed up to lay wreaths on 5,001 veterans' graves. Residents willing to help can sign up here. Anyone is welcome to participate.

Residents can also help by sponsoring wreaths. As of Dec. 6, almost 2,500 wreaths are still needed to ensure every grave gets a wreath.

Wreaths Across America began in 1992, when Morrill Worcester of Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine, found himself with an excess of wreaths nearing the holiday season. Worcester, who had always felt a strong connection to Veterans who made tremendous sacrifices for their country, realized he was in a position to honor and remember their service by placing the wreaths on the gravesites of soldiers.

The annual wreath-laying tradition has grown each year, with more than 700,000 wreaths laid in 2014 at over 1,000 locations. The event is now known as the "world's largest veterans' parade" and stops at schools, monuments and veterans' homes along the way.

Image via Alexandria National Cemetery