BOURNE – Over 1,800 wreaths were laid at the graves of fallen soldiers and veterans Saturday at the Massachusetts National Cemetary.
The event is part of an annual nationwide effort to honor soldiers during the holiday season by the Wreaths Across America campaign.
Over 700,000 wreaths were laid at 1,000 locations in previous years.
Last year, the National Cemetery had the most wreaths sponsored at over 7,000.
The local effort started in Bourne in 2007, while Wreaths Across America began in 1992, growing to include veterans’ cemeteries across the country.
Bourne organizer Denis Mills said the ceremony bestows honor on those who served, and encourages participants to learn more about them.
“We encourage people to bring their children out there to let them learn what these people have done,” Mills said. “Some of them gave their lives in combat, some were lucky enough to live to a ripe old age, but there’s still a story there to be told and we’d like to get that out.”
Mills said he invites all participants to research the names on the headstones when they return home from the event.
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