The Aroostook County Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol participated on Saturday, Dec. 13, in the nationwide Wreaths Across America by honoring local veterans.
The cadets, joined by several volunteers, laid wreaths near veterans’ graves at the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery in Caribou and Fairmount Cemetery in Presque Isle.
The Wreaths Across America program started 33 years ago when a Maine wreath maker donated 5,000 wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery. The tradition grew across the country and beyond, and last year volunteers placed more than 3 million wreaths at 4,909 locations.
The program’s motto is remember, honor and teach — remember all who served, honor them, and teach succeeding generations to recognize the importance of their sacrifices.
With about a foot of snow on the ground, gravestones weren’t visible in Caribou, Civil Air Patrol representatives said. But with a list provided by the National Veterans Association, cadets were still able to remember, honor and salute every veteran by name.
A ceremony at the veterans cemetery placed wreaths to honor all who served, or are serving, in each branch of the U.S. military. Cadets posted the colors.
