(La Porte, IN) - The graves of local veterans are decorated for the holidays.  Wreaths were placed at Patton Cemetery and other graveyards in the area over the weekend.

Ed Francis, a member of the American Legion in LaPorte, said the annual nationwide program

was conducted in La Porte for the first time during the Christmas season.  He said wreaths had been delivered every year at this time to places like Arlington National Cemetery and the final resting places of veterans in Maine.  “It just kind of took off, and now they go all over the country,” Francis said.

La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody and State Representative Jim Pressel of Rolling Prairie were

among the volunteers lending a hand with the effort.