National Wreaths Across America Day ceremony set for Saturday at Quincy National Cemetery

QUINCY — Quincy National Cemetery, an official Wreaths Across America location, will be the site of a wreath-laying ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 16, joining more than 3,700 other locations across the country for National Wreaths Across America Day.

The wreath laying procession will begin with the wreath escort leaving at Washington Park at 9 a.m. and traveling to Quincy National Cemetery, 3701 Maine. The ceremony and wreath laying will begin at 10 a.m. Military dignitaries/officers, veterans, active service members and families, all 4-H members and the community are invited to participate in the wreath-laying ceremony.

Additional parking will be available at Quincy High School, with a shuttle bus to the cemetery available.

Coordinated and led by the Ursa Willing Workers 4-H Club, volunteers and local sponsors have raised funds for the placement of 563 veterans’ wreaths on the headstones of our fallen service members laid to rest there. This annual event seeks to further the yearlong mission to “Remember, Honor, Teach,” ensuring the memory of those who served our country endures.

Each wreath placed on the tombstone costs $17. Information to sponsor a wreath and additional event details are provided on the Facebook page “Wreaths Across America – Quincy IL Location.”

Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992.