SIKESTON -- Over 470 veterans laid to rest in Scott County will receive wreaths on their graves this month.
For the second year, a Wreaths Across American ceremony will take place in Scott County. Set for 11 a.m. Dec. 13 at the St. Denis Cemetery in Benton, the ceremony is hosted by the American Legion Riders and Scott County Memorial Chapter 369 of Benton.
"It's going to be really, really good," said Verlon "Boo" Parker, who is co-coordinating the Benton ceremony with Jeff Allen.
The national program's mission, "Remember, Honor and Teach," is carried out in part by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies a specified Saturday in December at Arlington, Va., as well as cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states.
There will be a canopy on-site so attendees can sit underneath during the Benton ceremony, Parker said.
Parker estimated last year 35 people attended Scott County's first ceremony, which was scheduled days after a snowstorm occurred.
"We went out there and shoveled snow for two days (to prepare)," Parker said.
The Benton ceremony will include opening remarks by Janet Kline; guest speaker Shirley Young; key speaker Sen. Wayne Wallingford; posting of colors by New Madrid ROTC; and invocation and benediction by the Rev. Michael Casteel, pastor of St. Denis Church in Benton and St. Lawrence Church in New Hamburg.
A ceremony is also planned for 11 a.m. Dec. 13 at the Bloomfield cemetery's Committal Shelter Pavilion. Over 1,850 veterans' graves will receive wreaths at the Bloomfield cemetery.
For the complete story, see the Sunday edition of the Standard Democrat.