John Benter of Crosby, honorary veteran, along with Bommelman’s daughter, Nancy Bommelman-Bruce, will place the first wreath.

“A World War II veteran placing the first wreath at the grave of a World War II veteran,” said Richard Reuer, coordinator of the local Wreaths Across America program.

Benter served in the Army from 1943-46. His service included in New Guinea and the Philippines.

The sixth annual Wreaths Across America ceremony, conducted by the Minot Civil Air Patrol Magic City Composite Squadron, will begin at 11 a.m. in Vincent United Methodist Church, 1024 2nd Street SE. Doors will open at 10 a.m.

Eloise Ogden/MDN Ceremonial wreaths will be placed on these crosses facing Section 12 in Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, during the 2019 Wreaths Across America event on Saturday, Dec. 14.

The ceremony will include Disabled American Veterans Chapter 4, American Legion Post No. 26 Honor Guard, The Rev. Bruce Krebs of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Steve Veikley, Erin Likness and Reuer. Ceremonial wreaths designated Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, POW/MIA and honorary veteran will be received at the ceremony by representatives of each. The ceremony will be livestreamed on Wreaths Across America/Minot Facebook.

Those who wish to volunteer to lay wreaths are asked to meet at the church. The gates of the cemetery will be closed during the church ceremony. A limited number of souvenir 2019 Wreaths Across America dog tags will be available with a freewill donation to go to next year’s program.

After the ceremony, Jeremy Skalicky, commander of the Civil Air Patrol, will be the head escort as vehicles proceed to Rosehill Memorial Park, followed by those who will be laying the first wreath, the ceremonial wreaths and other volunteers.

As of Thursday, 1,314 wreaths were sponsored through the Minot program, although applications were still being processed. Of that number, the majority will be placed at the graves of veterans in Rosehill Memorial Park, 21 wreaths for the Medal of Honor Memorial in Minot’s Roosevelt Park and 54 wreaths for cemeteries at Bottineau. The remainder will go to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Last year 1,097 wreaths were sponsored through the Minot program, according to Reuer.

Eloise Ogden/MDN This cross with a “dog tag” designating Army is among several crosses facing Section 12 on which ceremonial wreaths will be placed at the Wreaths Across America event next week.

Wreaths will arrive in Minot on Friday, Dec. 13. Volunteers will unload the 116 boxes of wreaths, Reuer said.