David Rolley places a wreath at the gravesite of a U.S. veteran in 2022, as part of the Wreaths Across America event held at North Cemetery. Butler Eagle File Photo

On Dec. 16, county residents may notice a hubbub at many county cemeteries, as deceased veterans here and across the U.S. are honored for their service.

The number of cemeteries in the county that will have Wreaths Across America ceremonies that day has almost tripled since last year, as patriotic residents take on the task of honoring American veterans of all eras with a ceremony.

Last year, six cemeteries in Butler County saw wreaths laid at veterans’ graves during Wreaths Across America. This year, the graves of veterans in 16 cemeteries will be decorated.

In the nationwide program, residents donate wreaths for the graves by paying $17 per wreath online at wreathsacrossamerica.org.

The wreaths are then shipped to the ceremony’s organizer for placement on the graves on Dec. 16.

Ceremonies including speeches by local dignitaries are normally held before the wreaths are laid on veterans’ graves. Boy Scouts or members of veterans groups like the American Legion or VFW are often involved in the ceremonies by helping to lay the wreaths.

This year, Wreaths Across America ceremonies will be held in the following Butler County cemeteries:

Union Cemetery in North Washington; New Salem Annisville Cemetery in Petrolia; Pleasant Valley Cemetery in West Sunbury; St. John Methodist, Wolf Creek and Slippery Rock cemeteries in Slippery Rock; North Cemetery in Butler; Zelienople Cemetery; St. Luke Lutheran Cemetery in Cabot; Saxonburg Cemetery; Plains Church Cemetery in Cranberry Township; Mount Pleasant and West Union cemeteries in Mars; Eau Claire Cemetery; and Old Annandale and St. Pascal cemeteries in Hilliards.

Most ceremonies are held at noon, but times can be checked by clicking “View” on a location on wreathsacrossamerica.org.

A ceremony to honor deceased veterans will be held at the Penn Township Veterans Memorial on Airport Road as well.