Wreaths Across America honors veterans at Auburn cemeteries Dec. 19

As the holidays are a time to give and reach out to those in need, Auburn Area Wreaths Across America hopes to also honor fallen veterans. Wreaths will be laid on veterans' gravesites in the New and Old Auburn District cemeteries on Dec. 19. According to Auburn Area Wreaths Across America Location Coordinator Paula Celick, although the ceremony will look different than the previous five years, continuing the ceremony is an important "reminder to never forget why our country is free." Due to the pandemic, Celick said, this year's ceremony at the Veterans' Memorial Wall will be private with no public admittance and the wall will be closed off to prevent groups from gathering. The gates to the cemeteries will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for community members and families who wish to honor their veterans. Masks are required for everyone entering the cemetery. Volunteers will also lay wreaths on veterans' graves who would otherwise not be remembered. According to an Auburn Area Wreaths Across America news release, those who attend Dec. 19 are asked to honor any wreaths that are already placed on a gravesite and encouraged to honor a veteran by saying their name, as it signifies a moment where they are remembered. According to Celick, live balsam wreaths are used because they symbolize honor and life, serving as a living tribute to veterans. Large wreaths will be placed at the Memorial Wall and small wreaths will be placed on veterans' graves. The wreaths will remain in the cemeteries until Jan. 11, 2021. Celick said the goal is to have 2,450 wreaths, and as of Monday, 1,400 have been ordered. "It would be nice if we could put wreaths on all of them," Celick said, noting that last year they came close to the goal with just over 2,000 wreaths. Wreaths are available for purchase until Monday, Nov. 30. Anyone interested in buying a wreath can send a check, payable to Wreaths Across America, to Paula Celick, Location Coordinator, 12868 Erin Drive, Auburn, CA 95603. Wreaths cost $15 each. Wreath orders received after the Nov. 30 deadline will be processed and paid forward for the 2021 wreath count. For more information, contact Celick at crowpaula0211@gmail.com.