Wreaths Across America comes to Ocala on Dec. 16

Wreaths are shown by gravesites during the Wreaths Across America ceremony at Highland Memorial Park in Ocala, Fla. on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

A local couple, John and Lori Grimstead, are heading up an effort to place holiday wreaths on the graves of veterans as part of the nationwide Wreaths Across America program.

People can sponsor a wreath to be placed at Highland Memorial Park, 1515 NE 3^rd St., in Ocala. A ceremony will take place there at noon on Dec. 16 before volunteers begin to lay the wreaths. As each wreath is laid down, the volunteer will speak the name of the person being honored. There are more than 1,800 veteran graves at Highland Memorial Park according to material provided by the Grimsteads.

Wreaths will be placed at more than 2,220 locations nationwide on Dec. 16. The wreaths are made of balsam and are hand-tied with a red velvet bow in Columbia Falls, Maine. The cost for one wreath is $17. To sponsor a wreath, go to wreathsacrossamerica.org/social/FLHMPO-HighlandMemorialPark?Sid=14795|0|0|5 Y

To volunteer to help on Dec. 16, email waaflhmpo@gmail.com or call 352-286-0021 or 352-816-6172.

Cadets with the Forest High School U.S. Air Force JROTC, from left, Alex Murphy, 18, Alexander Ross, 16, Michael Clarke, 14, and Mackenzie Seaman, 16, place wreaths on gravesites during the Wreaths Across America ceremony at Highland Memorial Park in Ocala, Fla. on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]