LEESVILLE, La. –– Veterans who are interred at the Central Louisiana Veterans Ceremony will have wreaths placed on their graves Dec. 15 by residents of Vernon Parish as part of national Wreaths Across America Day.

WAA is a national, non-profit organization that has grown to encompass more than 750 participating locations and 150,000 volunteers around the country. WAA’s mission is to remember, honor, and teach: Remember the fallen, honor those who serve and their families, and teach children the cost of freedom.

WAA pursues its mission with nation-wide wreath-laying events amid the holiday season, and year-round educational outreach inviting all Americans to appreciate their freedoms and the cost at which they are delivered.

Susie Edwards has volunteered to conduct the WAA ceremony this year at the Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery on La. Hwy 467 at 10:45 a.m.

Due to limited parking, Edwards recommends carpooling from the adjacent Northwestern State University-Fort Polk campus.

Seven ceremonial wreaths will be placed to remember all Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who served, honor their sacrifices, and teach younger generations about the high cost of freedom.

Specially designated wreaths for the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, and POW/MIA will be placed on memorials simultaneously with more than 750 participating locations all across the country.

Currently, 82 wreaths are slated for delivery to the cemetery. Wreath sponsorships are no longer available for this year but can be applied to 2013 events.

It is projected that more than 150,000 volunteers will place more than 400,000 wreaths nationwide as part of Wreaths Across America.

The Wreaths Across America story began more than 20 years ago when the Worcester Wreath Company from Harrington, Maine, initiated a tradition of donating and placing wreaths on the headstones of the nation's fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery. Recognition of the service and sacrifice of veterans and their families is especially poignant during the holiday season.

Worcester Wreath Company continues to be a major supporter of the project, donating more than 30,000 total wreaths in 2011. This year, individuals, businesses and groups from communities nationwide will sponsor more than 400,000 wreaths. Wreaths will be placed in all 50 states from Maine to Alaska and Hawaii, and at 24 national cemeteries on foreign soil.

For more information call Susie Edwards at (337) 404-3223.