For the first time ever, Oak Harbor will participate this weekend in a national veteran’s campaign aimed at honoring and educating the public.

Organizer John Burton will bring Wreaths Across America, the mission of which is “Remember, honor, teach,” to Oak Harbor 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Maple Leaf Cemetery.

Wreaths Across America is an organization that coordinates wreath laying ceremonies on a specified Saturday in December at veterans’ cemeteries.

The organization aims to spread the message about the importance of honoring fallen members of the military.

This Saturday, Burton will be placing the wreath dedicated to the Navy in honor of his grandfather who served. He died last month.

“It’s a blessing and an honor and a privilege to do this,” Burton said.

In addition to the ceremonial Navy wreath, there will be ceremonial wreaths for the Merchant Marines, the Marines, the Air Force, the Army, the Coast Guard and the Prisoners of War.

There will also be a Blue Star wreath and a Gold Star wreath, presented by a mother who has a child in the military and mother who has lost a child in service, respectively.

There will also be 40 wreaths laid on the headstones of veterans at the cemetery.

Burton said he learned about the ceremony and the meanings of all the wreaths as he went along.

Oak Harbor Mayor Scott Dudley, who will present the Washington state wreath and has served in the Navy, will be the main speaker.

The Patriot Guard will do a flag line, and there might be a military presentation of the color guard. A bugle player will also perform, and the National Anthem will be sung.

For the people who are presenting wreaths, Burton suggests arriving at the cemetery at 8:30 a.m., before the general public arrives.

Burton said that although he has not served in the military, many of his family members are currently serving or have served.

Considering that Oak Harbor hosts a Navy base, he said he wanted to bring Wreaths Across America to town.

“I saw that something in town needed to be done,” Burton said. “So I jumped in.

“I’m ecstatic for how this is going to turn out in the end.”