From left are Jon Leavitt, Owner/Funeral Director, and Ellen Wright, Wreaths Across America and Cremation Coordinator. (Photo Provided by Leavitt Funeral Services and Crematory)

PARKERSBURG — On Saturday, Dec. 14, wreaths will be placed on the graves of local veterans to pay solemn tribute to those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice for the country.

Leavitt Funeral Services and Crematory began working with the Wreaths Across America project as a gesture of thanks to remember the nation’s fallen and to honor their service.

According to Jon Leavitt, fifth-generation Owner/Funeral Director, “the Wreaths Across America Project has grown into a national, yearlong movement of dedicated volunteers and communities coming together to Remember and Honor our fallen and surviving veterans. The project also helps to Teach the next generation about the value of freedom while honoring veterans.”

This year, Leavitt Funeral Services and Crematory, is one of 4,600 participating locations nationwide taking orders from the Mid-Ohio Valley community for wreaths to be placed on the graves of veterans at cemeteries throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley.

National Wreaths Across America Day will take place on Saturday, Dec. 14.

“Our goal is to create awareness of this program among individuals and businesses in the communities we serve,” said Leavitt.

The staff at Leavitt Funeral Services will assist those interested in participating through the sponsorship of one or more wreaths. Wreaths can be ordered to be delivered to either of the Leavitt Funeral Home locations in Parkersburg or Belpre or even designated for delivery to a specific National Veterans Cemetery.

“Honoring our veterans is important and our staff looks forward to taking orders and providing the wreaths to sponsors so they can be placed on the headstones of our local heroes,” he said.

“We are grateful to the thousands of supporters who dedicate their time, energy and resources to fulfilling this mission,” said Stephen Leavitt, fifth-generation Owner/Funeral Director. “As a result of their continued support, Wreaths Across America continues to grow and touch new people each year.”

The deadline to place an order is Saturday, Nov. 30. Wreaths are $17 each. Sponsors will be notified when wreaths arrive and are available for pick up sometime during the first or second week of December.

Individuals and businesses interested in sponsoring a wreath can do so by visiting rb.gy/rpvrd, or by calling Leavitt Funeral Services and Crematory at 304-422-6459.