JENNINGS — With more than 180 wreaths decorating gravesites at the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery this holiday season, organizers are working to keep the tradition going for future veterans and their families.

Jeff Davis Parish Wreaths Across America Location Coordinator and Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Louisiana Chapter 6-2 Auxiliary State Representative Angela Allen is urging local residents to help sponsor remembrance wreaths for next year’s wreath laying. The wreaths are traditionally placed on veterans graves across the country on the third Saturday in December as part of National Wreaths Across America Day.

“Wreaths Across America is about remembering those that have died, honoring those that served and teaching the next generation to respect and honor our veterans,” Allen said.

Through Jan. 14, 2022, when someone sponsors a $15 wreath through a fundraising group, their sponsorship will be matched by Wreaths Across America to help honor even more veterans.

“i’ve already purchased mine to put out next year,” she said.

Wreaths can be placed at the cemetery of the donor’s choice, so if someone has a friend or family member buried someone else they can purchase a wreath to be sent elsewhere or they can keep the wreaths local, Allen said.

All donations made through a registered Wreaths Across America sponsorship group will be matched by the Wreaths Across America Headquarters for placement on grave sites on Dec. 17, 2022.

“If someone buys a wreath now until Jan. 14, Wreaths Across America will match that wreath to help provide more wreaths for veterans,” Allen said, noting that many of the veterans do not have family living in the area or have no living family members.

Volunteers help place the wreaths with red bows on graves of those with no family members present.

More information on the matching campaign program can be found on the Wreaths Across America website at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/LA0066P.  A link is also available on the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery Facebook page.

Wreaths can be purchased throughout the year through Thanksgiving. Those purchased after Jan. 14 will not be matched.

This year was the second year the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery joined with Wreaths Across America to place the fresh balsam wreath at the headstone of every veteran buried there.

“I think this has opened up our community to know more about Wreaths Across America and that we have a place locally to place the wreaths,” Allen said. “It is very humbling to see families and the communities come out to honor our veterans in a different way.”

The Southwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery is one of five veterans cemeteries located across the state, including Leesville, to participate in the Wreaths Across America program.