By Katie V. Jones

On Dec.17, about 250 volunteers placed wreaths on the graves of veterans at Ivy Hill Cemetery for Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit that honors veterans with remembrance wreaths each December. According to the organization’s website, wreath-laying ceremonies are held at more than 3,700 locations across the United States. Lisa Wright has been the location coordinator for the annual event in Laurel for the last six years.

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Volunteers march to Ivy Hill Cemetery to lay wreaths.
Courtesy Lisa Wright

 This year’s event began with a short ceremony at Laurel Municipal Center with remarks by Laurel Mayor Craig Moe and Shirley Luby, commander of American Legion Post 60. The Laurel Police Department Honor Guard then led a march to the cemetery, where volunteers placed wreaths on 296 veterans’ graves. Mission BBQ’s Greenbelt and Laurel locations donated funds from their American Heroes cup campaign to cover the $15 cost of each wreath.

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Laurel Councilmember and President Brencis Smith (Ward 2) lays a wreath during Wreaths Across America on Dec. 17.
Courtesy Lisa Wright

Volunteers are now needed to remove the wreaths during an event starting at 11 a.m. on Jan. 21. All are welcome, and registration is not required. Ivy Hill Cemetery is located at 1201 Sandy Spring Rd.

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Volunteers are needed to help remove wreaths at Ivy Hill Cemetery.
Courtesy Lisa Wright