CHESTERVILLE — Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, announced that Chesterville Hill Cemetery has joined in the effort to fulfill the national WAA mission of remembering, honoring and teaching under the 2015 central theme: “Cemeteries are for the living.” 

WAA will organize several fundraising events in the coming year that will culminate in a wreath-laying ceremony to honor veterans on National Wreath Across America Day Saturday, Dec. 12. Remembrance wreaths will be placed at the headstones of fallen veterans at more than 1,000 locations across the country and overseas.

A remembrance ceremony will be held at noon Chesterville Hill Cemetery to ensure that the individuals who served to protect the freedoms of this country are not, and never will be, forgotten. The event is free and open to the public. 

The event will be coordinated by Helen Sprague, a member of the Abigail Wolcott Ellsworth chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, in Windsor, Conn. The ceremony will be officiated by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Gregory, members of the Order of the Eastern Star, chapter 170 in New Sharon. In addition to the seven ceremonial wreaths, Richard Sprague and Norman Collins will be honored. They both served in World War II.

The ceremony will also honor veteran relatives entombed in the cemetery. Participants may alert leaders before the ceremony begins.

Those interested in volunteering with their local Wreaths Across America location in Chesterville may visit the WAA website and social media channels to follow the organization.