BENTON, KY - William A. Doyle Post 236 of the American Legion will conduct Marshall County’s observance of the annual Wreaths Across America program at 11 am Saturday at Mike Miller Park’s Veterans Honor Plaza.

Marshall County Judge/Executive Mike Miller will be the speaker. Post 236’s Honor Guard and Color Guard will perform ceremonial rites, along with the post Ladies Auxiliary Honor Guard.

Representatives from each branch of service, veterans of all branches and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) officials will take part.

Wreaths Across America is an annual activity promoted by a nonprofit organization. The purpose is to continue and expand the annual wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, a tradition begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992.

This will be the fourth year Post 236 has participated in the event.

Wreaths Across America coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies on the second Saturday of December at Arlington and at veterans cemeteries and other sites in all 50 states and in other locales.

The mission, according to the wreathsacrossamerica.org website, is to stress “the importance of remembering our fallen heroes, honoring those who serve, and teaching our children about the sacrifices made by veterans and their families to preserve our freedoms.”

Local ceremonies will be conducted at local sites at 11 am.

Post 236 is located at 25 Little John Lane, off KY 95 between Calvert City and North Marshall Middle School.

The American legion chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919, is a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest veterans service organization, committed to mentoring and sponsorship of youth programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, and promoting a strong national security and continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans.