BILLINGS - National Wreaths Across America Day is celebrated on Dec. 19.
Kathy Gordon, a local Gold-Star mother reached out to the American Legion to help fund-raise and plan a Wreaths Across America event.
"In October of 19 we had a local military member that passed away overseas. His mother, obviously is now a Gold-Star mother, and she came to us with the idea of doing Wreaths Across America at the cemetery," American Legion Post 4 Director Gill Floyd said.
Post 4 is pulling out all the stops to honor local Sgt. Irish, and others this year, and are also donating money to the cause of placing wreaths.
"She was really moved with what we had done this last memorial day after COVID everything started, we did a ride from the multiple cemeteries-which Mountview is one of the cemeteries that we mainly focus on," Floyd said, "and she came to us and asked if we would help out and I don't say no to a gold star mom who asked good things like that,".
Wreath laying ceremonies will take place at Arlington National Cemetery, and in over 2 thousand cemeteries across all 50 states, as well as over, and on the seas.
"One thing that happens with service members is that you're in a group that is very tight knit-especially people that have been in combat situations. Doesn't matter where around the country or world you come from you're a family member. So being able to be there for a family member that has lost that brother or sister is very important," Floyd said.
Once the wreaths have been placed in intervals at the nearly 1,300 veteran graves, a ceremony will follow at noon.
"There's a saying that you hear a lot. You don't understand the importance of the flag until you've signed up and could have come home underneath one," Floyd said.
You may get involved by sponsoring wreaths, or volunteering to help hang them.
All wreath sponsorship orders must be in by November 30Th to ensure they arrive on time.
To sponsor, visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/MT0022P
