PIQUA — Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016, is Wreaths Across America Day. WAA began as The Arlington Wreath project started by Morrill Worcester in 1992 with the donation and laying of 5,000 Christmas wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery.

It was relatively obscure until 2005 when a photo of the stones adorned with wreaths and covered in snow circulated around the internet. The project received National attention.

In 2006 more than 150 State and National cemeteries held wreath laying ceremonies simultaneously. By 2008, more than 300 locations held wreath laying ceremonies in every state, Puerto Rico and 24 overseas cemeteries. More than 100,000 wreaths were placed on veterans graves, and more than 60,000 volunteers participated.

Now the opportunity to adorn every veteran’s grave has been made available to the local community no matter what local cemetery your hero is buried in. This is made possible through the efforts Melcher-Sowers Funeral Home in conjunction with the nearly 1,000 Veterans & Family Memorial Care funeral home providers across America.

WAA reaches out to thousands of children each year with the message of Remember, Honor and Teach. The importance of honoring each fallen serviceman/woman as an individual is stressed. The wreath laying is now held each year on the second Saturday of December and was unanimously voted by the US Congress as “Wreaths Across America Day.” By offering sponsorships to the public, Wreaths Across America hopes that one day every veteran’s resting place will be adorned with a wreath for the holiday season.

You may honor your hero, buried at any local cemetery by sponsoring a $15 wreath to adorn their grave. From Nov. 7 through Nov. 25, 2016, local residents can order a wreath for your hero at Melcher-Sowers Funeral Home, 646 W. High St., Piqua, Ohio. From Nov. 7-24, the hours will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. On Nov. 25, orders need to be in by noon. Wreaths will be available for pickup Monday, Dec. 19, 2016, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the funeral home. For more information, call 937-773-1647.