Volunteers to place 'Wreaths for Heroes'

Volunteers will place wreaths on graves Saturday at Jefferson City National Cemetery as part of the annual Wreaths for Heroes event.

Each year, they place the wreaths on all 1,587 graves in an event started by the late Lorraine Adkins. She began the program in 2010, and last year was the first since she died.

Don Hentges, whom Adkins selected to succeed her as the organizer of the event, said volunteers with pickups will gather at 8 a.m. Saturday at a warehouse at 728 Heisinger Road, retrieve boxes of wreaths and take them to Busch's Florist, 620 Madison St.

"There will be coffee there," he said.

At 8:45 a.m., American Legion motorcycle riders will lead a convoy of vehicles to the cemetery, 1024 E. McCarty St.

"A lot of volunteers will be there to unbox the wreaths and put the boxes back on the trucks," Hentges said. "We will demonstrate the proper way to place the wreaths. Kids from Nichols Career Center will pass out little brochures on the proper way."

Volunteers will place the wreaths, beginning at 9 a.m. Hundreds participate every year, Hentges said. They should be done in about 15 minutes.

Following placement, there will be a short program that will include a memorial firing and Taps.