Hopewell taking part in Wreaths Across America

A wreath-laying ceremony to honor fallen veterans from U.S. wars dating back to the Civil War will be Dec. 13, 2008, at the Hopewell Cemetery at City Point, 10th Avenue and Davis Street, in Hopewell.

The ceremony, which will begin at noon, will involve an introduction, an invocation, a speaker making brief remarks, the laying of the wreaths and the playing of taps.

Colonial Heights American Legion Post 284 will provide a color guard and a bagpiper.

The ceremony is part of a larger international wreath-laying event by Wreaths Across America that will occur simultaneously at the graves of veterans at many of the national cemeteries in the U.S. and around the world.

The Wreaths Across America (www.wreathsacrossamerica.org) story began more than 15 years ago when Worcester Wreath Co. in Harrington, Maine, began placing wreaths on the headstones of fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery during the holidays.

As word spread about Worcester's efforts, communities across the country began to get involved.

This year, more than 350 locations will participate, and 100,000 wreaths will be placed.

In Hopewell, a motorcycle escort will meet the truck carrying the wreaths and lead it to the cemetery. The bikes will meet the truck near Food Lion at Crossings Plaza at 11 a.m., departing at 11:15 a.m.. They will then escort the truck to the cemetery, about 3 miles away.

This event will happen regardless of the weather -- and it is not just for riders on motorcycles. Everyone is welcome and may lay wreaths.