This Saturday, December 17 at 10 a.m., while more than 40,000 people gather in Washington to lay a wreath at each grave in Arlington National Cemetery, the Lake Charles Veterans Memorial Park Commission will also post a wreath at the foot of the 1st Lieutenant Douglas B. Fournet statue in Veterans Park on the lakefront.

Al Harris, a local veteran, first approached the Commission about participating in the Wreaths Across America program in early December. “The mission of the program is to remember, honor and teach. On December 17, nearly 245,000 wreaths will be laid on Arlington tombstones, and around the country more veterans will be laying wreaths on the graves and memorials of many who’ve paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom,” said Harris.

Last year a national network of volunteers placed over 700,000 wreaths at 1,000 locations across the country—representing every state, Puerto Rico and 24 overseas cemeteries. The Wreaths Across America program originated in 2007.

The Veterans Memorial Park Commission urges local residents to become involved in the annual program. Dr. Keith DeSonier, a member of the Commission said, “When you purchase a wreath through the program to be placed on a grave in Arlington, you’ll also receive a wreath in the mail for you to place on a local veteran’s grave. It’s an excellent tribute that honors our country’s veterans and serves as a visible reminder of their lives and sacrifices.”