Tahoma National Cemetery hosts Wreaths Across America, a holiday wreath-laying ceremony Dec. 17 to honor and remember the nation’s veterans.

The ceremony begins at 9 a.m. at the cemetery’s flag pole assembly area, 18600 SE 240th St., Kent.

The Washington Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, veterans service organizations and citizens are coordinating the event to honor veterans of each branch of the military, the Merchant Marines as well as prisoners of war and those still missing in action.

Veterans groups, Gold Star Mothers, active duty, reserve, guard and auxiliary military personnel will be in attendance. The ceremony will also include a U.S. Marine Corps Rifle Team from Marine Barracks Joint Base Lewis-McCord for a 21-gun salute and a bugler to play “Taps”, a Civil Air Patrol Cadet Color Guard, and the Kentwood High School Choir will sing the national anthem.

The Worcester Wreath Company, through a campaign called Wreaths Across America, began donating holiday wreaths in tribute to veterans laid to rest at VA’s national cemeteries and state veterans cemeteries in 2006. Since 1992, they have donated wreaths for grave sites at Arlington National Cemetery.

The Washington Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, is coordinating the wreath ceremony as a part of Wreaths Across America.

For more information on this event, visit the National Cemetery Administration website at www.cem.va.gov.

For more information on Wreaths Across America visit their website at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.