SARASOTA -- To remember, to honor and to teach.

That’s the idea behind Wreaths Across America, a national program intended to honor veterans through the placement of wreaths on their final resting places.

On Saturday, the Sarasota Military Academy will participate in the program for the third year at the Sarasota National Cemetery.

“The purpose is to honor, to teach and to remember, and the teaching part is involved in teaching young people about the sacrifices that have been made,” said Lt. Col. William Brockman, director of operations with Sarasota Military Academy. “And about those in military who have died and fought for the freedoms and opportunities they have in their future.”

The wreaths are green with a red ribbon.

“It’s simple, but nice,” Brockman said.

Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun in 1992.

“To me it’s important we honor and remember those who have served and those who have passed on,” Brockman said. “To me it’s a nice way of saying thank you.”

Because of construction, there will be a brief ceremony at the cemetery at 9:30 a.m.

Among those expected to be in attendance is Major Bob Bayless of the Civil Air Patrol Cadets who also attended the event last year.

“It was a moving ceremony,” he said. “It’s important to us because the veterans who are buried there, and their spouses as well, are folks who have spent a good part of their lives and their careers protecting their country.”

The ceremony will take place at 9810 S.R. 72.

Paradise Afshar, Herald reporter, can be contacted at 941-748-0411, ext. 7024.