Hundreds gather for wreath laying

MONTEVALLO, Ala. (AP) - Hundreds of people gathered at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo to place evergreen wreaths on the white headstones of buried soldiers.

The effort Saturday was part of the nationwide Wreaths Across America program.

Lt. Gen. David Fadok, president and commander of Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, was the keynote speaker at a ceremony for the event. The wreaths were placed on the graves as a bag piper played "Amazing Grace."

The tradition began 20 years ago when Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Co. in Harrington, Maine, and others laid 5,000 wreaths on headstones at Arlington National Cemetery that first year to give thanks to the nation's veterans.

Organizers say 10,000 people were expected join Saturday's wreath laying at Arlington.