LEWISTON/AUBURN — Members of the Civil Air Patrol 077th Composite Squadron and Maine Wing invite the public to sponsor remembrance wreaths for placement on the graves of veterans Dec. 10 to honor those who served the U.S. as well as current military members. Sponsors can even designate where the wreaths will be laid in the local community.

The CAP Squadron’s efforts coincide with the Wreaths Across America tributes occurring simultaneously across the nation, including Arlington National Cemetery, where the initiative began 20 years ago with the placement of 5,000 wreaths donated by Morrell Worcester, owner of the Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington. In 2006, Worcester and his family formed Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit initiative that recognizes the courage and sacrifices of U.S. veterans by placing wreaths on the graves of the fallen during the year-end holiday season.

As a major partner in Wreaths Across America for six Decembers now, CAP has adorned memorials and veterans’ graves with evergreen wreaths to make sure the sacrifices for the nation’s soldiers are not forgotten.

Last year, members of public sponsored the placement of 219,000 wreaths on veterans’ graves across the U.S and abroad. These wreaths were placed in ceremonies at memorials and cemeteries in all 50 states, as well as 24 locations overseas.

For more information on how to sponsor wreaths in the Lewiston-Auburn area, contact 077th Composite Squadron Commander at [email protected], Maine Wing Commander at [email protected] or Maine Wing Public Affairs Officer at [email protected].

Visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org for more information and participating locations. Visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com or www.capvolunteernow.com for more information on CAP.