CHATANOOGA, TN (TruckingNewsNow.com) (Source: U.S. Xpress) — On Saturday, December 15, more than a dozen area volunteer organizations (including the Civil Air Patrol, Young Marines, Navy Sea Cadets, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Brownies, Patriot Riders, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Daughters of the American Revolution, Sons of the American Revolution, employees from U.S. Xpress and more) will be participating in the Wreaths Across America (WAA) ceremony distributing wreaths on gravesites at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.

Special guests participating in this year’s ceremony include U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Chris Cotton, who will deliver the keynote address. During the ceremony, representatives wearing WWI period costumes in honor of the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day will place seven ceremonial wreaths for the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine and POW/MIA to remember those who served, honor their sacrifices and teach our younger generations about the high cost of our freedoms. The placing of these wreaths will be coordinated simultaneously at over 1,400 participating locations all across the country.

Last year, 18,000 wreaths were placed on the gravesites of our veterans laid to rest at Chattanooga National Cemetery. This year, Chattanooga WAA has received more local donations than ever before, and while the final number for this year has yet to be determined, Civil Air Patrol Maj. Marty Nix, WAA Location Coordinator, is looking forward to covering many more gravestones this year. Nix said, “We hope that we will never have to choose again how to distribute wreaths throughout the cemetery because we will be able to cover them all.”

The need for volunteers will be greater this year due to the increased number of wreaths projected. Volunteers wanting to place wreaths should plan to stay for a couple hours after the 12:00 p.m. ceremony. Nix said, “We’ll need lots of help placing the wreaths at veterans’ headstones, and we hope to get them all placed within two or three hours.” 

Off-site parking will be available on Saturday, December 15th, one mile south of the cemetery at the National Guard Armory. A free shuttle bus will be available take everyone to the cemetery, starting at 8:00 a.m. and running until all wreaths are placed in the afternoon. Additional information about parking and directions to the Armory can be found at www.ChattanoogaWAA.com.

U.S. Xpress President and CEO Eric Fuller said, “We’re honored to assist Wreaths Across America with transportation to locations, including Chattanooga National Cemetery. As a company, this effort is one of many ways we pay our respects to veterans and their families.”

The Wreaths Across America story began over 20 years ago when the Worcester Wreath Company from Harrington, Maine, initiated a tradition of donating and placing wreaths on the headstones of our Nation’s fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery. Recognition of the service and sacrifice of our veterans, and their families, is especially poignant during the traditional holiday season.

“Wreaths Across America exists today because of the individuals and communities across the country who want to do something to show their gratitude,” said Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America. “Placing a wreath is a simple gesture, but people coming together across the country to Remember, Honor and Teach, is what makes us all a part of a larger community of Americans.”