Sailors assigned to the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT) Detachment Lakehurst participated in Wreaths across America Dec. 12 in Lakehurst, N.J.

Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Launch/Recovery) (AW/SW) David Marchessault and ABE 3rd Class (AW) Jennifer Rea joined other volunteers in assisting the New Jersey Civil Air Patrol in laying more than 1,500 wreaths on veteran's gravesites at the BG William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, in Wrightstown, NJ.

"Participating in what has become a nationally recognized observance is important, said Marchessault.

"It is a great honor to recognize our veterans during the holiday season for their sacrifice and service, all those who have given so much to ensure we can enjoy the holidays with family and friends deserve to be remembered with the upmost respect and thanks."

Wreaths across America, a non-profit organization started in 1992, traces its roots to Arlington National Cemetery, when Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine, found himself with a surplus of wreaths at the end of the holiday season. He made arrangements for the wreaths to be placed in one of the older sections of the cemetery, with local volunteers from American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts decorated each wreath with red, hand-tied bows.

The tribute continued quietly until 2005, when a photo of the event at Arlington circulated around the internet. The project subsequently received national attention, and two years later, the Wreaths Across America organization was formed to expand the effort. In 2008 U.S. Congress unanimously voted Dec. 13 as 'Wreaths Across America Day.'

CNATT Detachment Lakehurst provides training and increases readiness within the Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) and is part of the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT), which provides single-site management for Navy and Marine Corps aviation technical training.

CNATT is the technical training agent for NAE, an organization designed to advance and sustain naval aviation warfighting capabilities at an affordable cost, and is the largest training center under the Naval Education and Training Command.

For more news from Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training, visit www.navy.mil/.