Wreaths Across America

Thursday, December 14th 2006, 9:45 am

By: News On 6

The evergreen wreath, popular during the holidays, symbolizes victory, eternity and hope. Thursday, in a nationwide campaign called "Wreaths Across America", fallen heroes around the country were honored for their service.

News on 6 reporter Carina Sonn says fallen soldiers were remembered Thursday during more than 200 simultaneous ceremonies around the country.

Floral Haven Cemetery in Broken Arrow was just one of four in Oklahoma to participate in "Wreaths Across America." Six wreaths were placed at the Freedom Shrine in the Veterans Field of Honor. One for each of the five branches of the military, and the sixth for Prisoners Of War.

There are more than 1,000 soldiers laid to rest at Floral Haven. Civil Air Patrol Major Joe Cavett: "we do appreciate the service of their loved ones and we do respect them for their service. And for everyone else we want them to remember what the service of these people means to them and their freedom."

The ceremony at Floral Haven is the only that wasn't held at a national cemetery.

Next year, organizers say they plan to place wreaths on individual tombstones. The "Wreaths Across America" campaign began at Arlington National Cemetery 15 years ago.