By Charles Melton
Hutchinson Tribune Staff
HAVEN—With 230 wreaths to lay on Saturday, Dec. 13, Jake Feil is hoping to have at least 60 volunteers help honor the veterans who are buried in both cemeteries in Haven.
The ceremony at the Laurel Cemetery in Haven begins at 11 a.m. on Dec. 13.
“This is our second year doing Wreaths Across America at Laurel Cemetery,” explained Feil, who is the organizer for the events in Haven.
Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization that organizes National Wreaths Across America Day each December to honor and remember America’s veterans. The organization partners with 1000s of communities nationwide to place wreaths on veterans’ graves.
“I come from a large military family and understand the importance of service, and I also understand the sacrifices involved,” Feil said.
Because of his family ties to the military, he said that was one of the draws to participating in Wreaths Across America’s mission.
“It’s a way for me to give something back to honor and remember the veterans from my area,” he said.
To that end, volunteers of all ages are needed to place wreaths on the veterans’ graves in Haven, and all are welcome, he said.
“It is important to always honor and remember the service and sacrifice of our military men and women,” he said. “We owe them a debt we will never be able to repay.”
Younger generations need to know that the freedoms all Americans enjoy and often take for granted are because of America’s veterans, he said.
“There’s not one single group in this country that deserves more respect and thanks than our veterans,” Feil said.