JESSAMINE COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Over 10,000 wreaths will be placed on gravestones at Camp Nelson Cemetery this weekend as part of Wreath's Across America's nationwide event to preserve the mission and memory of U.S. soldiers.
The wreaths arrived at the Jessamine County cemetery Wednesday with the help of a few dozen volunteers. Joe Barker was one of the volunteers that followed behind the Two Wreaths Across America trucks.
"It's a wonderful thing they do escorting these. It gives respect to the soldiers that are buried here," he told LEX 18's Sofia Millar.
Barker and dozens of volunteers unloaded the trucks.
Veteran Arnold Cramer told LEX 18 that it was a lot of work, but it was for a good cause.
"A lot of the veterans don't receive anything during the holidays. Not even post cards," he said.
The wreaths cost about $15 each. This year, Wreaths Across America raised more than $100,000 locally. Ultimately, the goal is to raise enough money to lay a wreath on each of the nearly 17,000 graves at Camp Nelson.
"I think it's gonna grow. Last year we had five thousand wreaths. This year we have ten thousand. It's a wonderful thing," said Barker.
The wreaths will be laid this Saturday at noon at Camp Nelson National Cemetery. Volunteers will read the name of every veteran, even if they run out of wreaths to put by their graves.
