On Dec. 16, National Wreaths Across America Day will be an opportunity for more than two million volunteers and supporters to remember, honor, and teach about the service of Veterans across the United States.
One local service organization is involving young people in this mission and they have set a challenging goal to honor local veterans in Hamilton County and beyond.
The Fort Benjamin Harrison Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol is based in northern Hancock County and includes both young people and adults from Hamilton, Madison, Hancock, and Marion counties. The 20 cadets (12 to 18 years old) and the 20 adults are working together with Gravel Lawn Cemetery in Fortville to sell and place wreaths on as many Veteran graves as possible. The cemetery has over 800 Veteran graves and although they have participated in the Wreaths Across America program before, they have never been able to place wreaths on all the Veteran graves.
This year, with the help of both local volunteers and the CAP squadron, they are hoping to honor more Veterans than ever before.
On Dec. 16, there will be a ceremony at Gravel Lawn Cemetery with Veterans, cadets, and volunteers coming together to honor the fallen Veterans interred locally and then place remembrance wreaths throughout the cemetery.
Those wishing to participate in the Wreaths Across America program by supporting this local effort can do so at WreathsAcrossAmerica.org/IN0184P.
More information on the squadron can be found at Facebook.com/capin228ftbensquadron.
About Civil Air Patrol
Founded in 1941 and established as the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force seven years later, Civil Air Patrol is chartered by Congress as a nonprofit organization for the purposes of youth development, aerospace education, and to promote general aviation. In an auxiliary role as a Total Force partner of the Air Force, CAP operates the world’s largest fleet of single-engine aircraft for search and rescue, disaster relief, training, and education. Civil Air Patrol is dedicated to serving America’s communities, saving lives, and shaping futures. Visit CAP.news or GoCivilAirPatrol.com for more information.