On Saturday at 11 a.m. the Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial in Marseilles will be among hundreds of locations where the synchronized laying of wreaths nationwide will be part of the Wreaths Across America project.

The project began 18 years ago when the Worcester Wreath Company from Harrington, Maine, initiated a tradition of donating and placing wreaths on headstones at Arlington National Cemetery.

Saturday, more than 400 state and national veterans cemeteries across the country will see the placement of more than 150,000 wreaths to recognize the service and sacrifice of veterans and their families.

Normally these wreaths are placed individually at grave sites, but the wreath company made a special exception for the Marseilles memorial.

In Marseilles, the Illinois Motorcycle Freedom Run, together with the Military Family Support Group and Marseilles Tribute Committee, will honor the fallen by placing 16 wreaths at the memorial representing all branches of the service.

The memorial is located west of Main Street on the north bank of the Illinois River.