Scores of people gathered at Mt. Hope Cemetery Saturday to honor veterans with the Wreaths Across America program.

Speakers at the respectful ceremony preceding the wreath laying, included Mayor Lynn Ragsdale, JROTC instructor Lt. Col. (ret) Dustin Elder and Mt. Hope Cemetery administrator Travis Boyd. 

Boyd thanked his staff for helping to identify the graves of veterans.

But there’s little doubt the event would have happened if it weren’t for the relentless nature of Susie Crutcher. 

Elder said she contacted him a year ago and didn’t let up.

Crutcher initially set a goal of raising enough money for as many wreaths as possible. It was rather overwhelming to learn 1,100 wreaths would be necessary.

She reached out to organizations and donors and was gratified when enough was raised to lay a wreath for every veteran in Mt. Hope.