Wreaths for Heroes set for Saturday

The sixth annual Wreaths for Heroes program will take place Saturday in Jefferson City, with volunteers laying wreaths at the graves of 1,587 veterans who are buried at the National Cemetery on East McCarty Street.

The program honors veterans who served, and some who died, for our country.

"This is one of the greatest history lessons for this town," said organizer Lorraine Adkins. "We not only educate a lot of adults in this town, but the kids still should remember five to six years ago when I went around (to the schools) and talked about it."

Adkins again is seeking volunteers to help transport and lay wreaths on the graves. Organizers with pickup trucks will meet at a warehouse to pick up the wreaths at 8:15 a.m., and other volunteers are asked to show up at the cemetery at 9 a.m.

The laying of the wreaths will take place, rain or shine, Adkins said. The wreaths typically are taken down on the third week of January, she said.

A 30-minute ceremony will take place when the wreaths are all laid on the graves, probably around 9:30 a.m., Adkins said.

West Elementary School will partner with the group this year. About 28 students and their parents will help lay the wreaths, Adkins said.

Among those participating in the ceremony are Capt. John Wheeler of the Cole County Sheriffs Department, who will be the featured speaker; Larry Kolb, the emcee; and Sheriff Greg White will give the invocation. Taps will also be played, followed by the memorial firing of rifles.