ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - National Wreaths Across America Day may be set for Dec. 13, but on Saturday, the local community came together early to support the cause at American Legion Post 30.

Volunteers gathered to raise awareness and collect donations for wreaths that will be laid at the graves of veterans in Crown Hill Cemetery this December.

For Marilyn Fowler, who works closely with Wreaths Across America, the mission is personal.

“It makes me feel very honored because that’s the way I can honor him and tell him thank you — and that he can always be remembered,” said Fowler, speaking about her father, a veteran. “As part of the ceremony that we do, we ask the people placing the wreaths to take a step back and have a moment of silence.”

Wreaths Across America began in 1992, when the Worcester Wreath Company had a surplus of wreaths and decided to place them at graves in Arlington National Cemetery. Since then, the effort has grown into a nationwide tribute to fallen service members.

Claudia McDaniel, another volunteer, says it’s a meaningful way to pay respects to those who served — and to the country she now calls home.

“I am honored to be a part of this. I’m an immigrant — I came over here when I was six years old, and my husband was in the service,” McDaniel said. “I want to honor the memories of all these soldiers, and this is a small way that we do it every year.”

Each wreath is handmade in Maine and costs $17. Donations are being accepted through the end of November.

Wreaths will be placed at Crown Hill Cemetery as part of the official Wreaths Across America Day ceremony on Dec. 13.

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