Andrea Johnson/MDN Volunteer Mike Nelson laid a Christmas wreath on the grave of a veteran on Friday morning at Rosehill Memorial Park in Minot. Nelson was among a sizable number of volunteers who took part in the Wreaths Across America event in Minot.

Dozens of volunteers laid wreaths on the graves of veterans at Minot’s Rosehill Memorial Park on Friday morning as part of the annual Wreaths Across America event. Members of the Disabled American Veterans group placed ceremonial wreaths around the bell tower in the cemetery Friday afternoon.

According to information provided by the national organization, wreaths were also laid at 2,557 participating locations in coordinated ceremonies across the United States on Friday. The event has taken place each December for the past 29 years as people across the country honor fallen heroes and their families during the Christmas season.

The Wreaths Across America organization was founded in 1992 to continue and expand a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery and its mission is “Remember, Honor, Teach”. Local sponsors sponsor each wreath that is placed on the grave of a veteran. In Minot that group is the Civil Air Patrol Wreaths Across America program.

The national organization also has a teaching and learning mission. More information about its efforts can be found at wreathsacrossamerica.org