EPHRATA - To honor those lost, the Columbia Basin Composite Squadron will be placing wreaths on veterans's graves as part of the nationwide event Wreaths Across America.

This is the first year involved in the event, with plans to place a wreath at each of the about 400 veterans' graves at the Ephrata Cemetery, said Second Lt. Dolores Ford, the Ephrata squadron's public affairs officer.

The wreaths will be placed during a ceremony at 9 a.m. on Dec. 14 at the cemetery, located at 333 E St. SW, Ephrata. The time was chosen to coincide with the noon ceremony at the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, Ford said.

Individuals can help support the cause by sponsoring a wreath to be placed on a grave. The cost per wreath is $15, with $5 of the donation going back to the squadron to support the cadet program and projects.

Ford said the wreaths will be stored at a hangar at the Grant County International Airport until the ceremony.

Wreaths Across America, a national non-profit organization founded in 2007, has since expanded to include more than 1,000 local fundraising groups in all 50 states, representing more than 800 cemeteries, military memorials and other locations, along with the nation's cemetery in Arlington. More than 400,000 wreaths were placed last year during the ceremonies, according to the organization's website.

In 1992, the first wreaths were donated by Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Company of Maine, who found himself with a surplus of wreaths nearing the end of the holiday season. He decided to honor veterans by donating the wreaths to the Arlington cemetery.

To sponsor a wreath for the local squadron, go to www.wreathsacrossamerica.org and click on the map on the top right, then choose Washington and find the Ephrata event.

The deadline to sponsor a wreath is Dec. 2.

For more information, contact the squadron at 509-754-3273 or visit in person at 50 Airport St. NE in Ephrata.

The squadron is also accepting applications for new members, open to ages 12-21. To apply, go to www.gocivilairpatrol.com.