Hundreds of volunteers from all walks of life will be participating in a national wreath-laying ceremony at Miramar National Cemetery. It is one of the four local Wreaths Across America locations that are part of the more than 1300 cemeteries in the U.S., abroad, and at sea joining in the same event.

On Friday, December 15, three large trucks full of live, balsam wreaths with bright red bows will arrive at the Miramar cemetery where off-duty Marines from the base will unload and stage them in separate piles in preparation for Saturday’s event. Escorting the trucks on their journey from Maine are patriotic motorcyclists showing their respect for fallen military members. Even the truck drivers are unpaid participants, and together they make up what is known as WAA’s “Honor Fleet,” The second photo opportunity will be on Saturday morning December 16, when the official wreath laying and a short ceremony take place. About 7 a.m., volunteers from businesses and non-profit organizations will place a wreath on every headstone, with exceptions for those markers with the Jewish Star of David. Small stones have been selected to place on top of the headstones of Jewish veterans, an ancient tradition from Israel that is new to Miramar this year. The featured speaker at Miramar’s program is Sergeant Major James K. Porterfield of the Third Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station.

The morning of January 6, 2018 has been set aside for cleaning the drying wreaths from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. Volunteers do not need to register, nor do they have to been part of the wreath laying. They just need to come, bringing gloves and rakes or brooms. Those with pickup trucks are especially needed.