FORT SMITH (KFSM) - More 16,000 Christmas wreaths will be placed on each grave stone at the Fort Smith National Cemetery to remember fallen soldiers during the holiday season.
Volunteers are needed to help prepare the Christmas wreaths on Friday (Dec.11).
They will unpack thousands of wreaths, and prepare them for placement on the headstones. The community wants these wreaths to be brought back to life and to look vibrant. Each wreath will be decorated with a bright red bow and taken to the Fort Smith National Cemetery to be placed on each gravestone.
The group Christmas Honors has partnered with "Wreaths Across America" to support the event. It's has been a tradition in Fort Smith for the last seven years. Organizers said they never plan to stop the tradition. They want the veterans to continue to be respected and honored especially during the holidays. "We want to give them more so they will know that they will be be forgotten," said Chairman of Christmas Honors Philip Merry.
According to Merry, "It's something to behold and a real testament of how wonderful this part of Arkansas is."
Volunteers are asked to arrive at the Fort Smith Convention Center at 8 a.m.
Anyone wishing to volunteer placing the wreaths on the headstones on Saturday (Dec.12) can stop by the Fort Smith National Cemetery at 11 a.m.