The Ottawa County Wreath Committee is excited to bring Wreaths Across America to the veterans graves in Riverview, Lakeview, and LaCarpe cemeteries on Saturday, Dec. 19. Volunteers and relatives are needed to place more than 1,100 Christmas wreaths at the final resting place of our Ottawa County heroes.

The mission of Wreaths Across America is: Remember, Honor, Teach. It is carried out in part by coordinating wreath laying ceremonies in December at cemeteries in all 50 states and beyond. The event is made possible by thousands of volunteers who organize local ceremonies, raise funds to sponsor wreaths, and participate in the events.

There will be a change to our ceremony being held at Riverview Cemetery this year. The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. at Veterans Circle. COVID-19 guidelines require that you wear a mask, social distance, and do not gather at Veterans Circle for the ceremony. Instead, we ask attendees when arriving at the cemetery to go straight to their loved ones gravesite for the entirety of the ceremony. We invite all attendees at our Riverview Cemetery Ceremony to help us say our heroes names so they are not forgotten and place a Christmas wreath on the grave of an American hero. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the wreaths will be placed.

The Ottawa County Wreath Committee is looking forward to another beautiful, yet somber day of remembrance. Thank you for your consideration, support, and we look forward to seeing you on National Wreaths Across America Day. Should you have any questions, committee member Sara Toris can be reached at the Ottawa County Veterans Service Office (419)898-2089.