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WALKER - On Saturday December, 11, members of the community will gather together to honor veterans during the holiday season as part of the annual Wreaths Across America (WAA) Day. Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker has volunteered to conduct the WAA ceremony at Evergreen Cemetery, in Walker, at 11 a.m., on on Saturday December 11, 2010. A ceremonial wreath will be placed at the Veterans Memorial by Walker Mayor, Brad Walhof, to remember all soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who served, honor their sacrifices, and teach our younger generations about the high cost of our freedoms.

This ceremonial wreath will be placed at the Veterans Memorial during a ceremony that will be coordinated simultaneously at over 500 participating locations all across the Country.

December 11th will mark the 19th anniversary of Maine wreaths being donated to be placed on headstones at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. 2010 is also the fifth year of the national wreath sponsorship campaign under the guidance of the non-profit WreathsAcrossAmerica.org that will bring the same remembrance wreaths to National and State Veterans cemeteries in all 50 states, veteran monuments, schools, and community centers all across the Nation.[[In-content Ad]]

In addition to these ceremonial wreaths, a number of civic groups around the Country have joined with Wreaths Across America to promote sponsored wreaths to be placed on veterans graves in designated sections of participating cemeteries.

Each year the sections are rotated to include all veterans. In 2010 it is projected that over 200,000 wreaths will be placed, by over 100,000 volunteers as part of the Wreaths Across America mission to Remember; Honor; and Teach.

The Wreaths Across AmericaTM story began over 19 years ago when the Worcester Wreath Company from Harrington, Maine initiated a tradition of donating and placing wreaths on the headstones of our Nation's fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery. Recognition of the service and sacrifice of our veterans, and their families, is especially poignant during the traditional holiday season.

Worcester Wreath Company continues to be a major supporter of the project, donating over 25,000 total wreaths in 2009. Over 200,000 wreaths will be sponsored by individuals, businesses, and groups from communities Nation-wide. Wreaths will be placed in all 50 states from Maine to Alaska and Hawaii, and at 24 national cemeteries on foreign soil.

If you would like to sponsor a wreath, or would like more information about events planned for your community, call Jenelle Mankie at Northern Peace Funeral Home at (218) 547-3323 for more information.

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