LANCASTER – The community is invited to recognize the service and sacrifice of our local veterans by honoring them with a holiday wreath at their graves this Saturday.
The Wreaths Across America wreath placement will take place at 9 a.m., December 14, at Lancaster Cemetery, located at 111 East Lancaster Boulevard.
All members of the community are welcome to help place the wreaths on nearly 800 veteran’s graves at the cemetery. A brief ceremony will commence with cadets from the Joe Walker Civil Air Patrol squadron raising the flags and will conclude with an introduction to the history of the Wreaths Across America program.
Lancaster Cemetery will continue honoring the veterans with a luminary display called, “A Thousand Lights, One Spirit.” That ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 14 at the Lancaster Cemetery Veterans Court of honor, with the luminaries being lit at 4:45 p.m. beginning at the west flagpole area.
“The luminary display that we have done in conjunction with Wreaths Across America has really caught the imagination of the community,” stated Cemetery Trustee Chairman, Dave Owens. “I am so grateful that Lancaster City Councilman Ken Mann has volunteered to sponsor the display in honor of his father, Clifford Mann, who served in World War II as a Staff Sergeant for the Army Air Corps. I hope many Antelope Valley residents will come out to enjoy and participate in this beautiful display.”
The candle lighting is open to the public, weather permitting. The community may drive or walk through the cemetery until 8 p.m.
For more information on Wreaths Across America, contact 661-942-6110. For more information on the luminary display, contact Dave Owens at 661-942-4224.
(Information via press release from the Lancaster Cemetery.)
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