With Memorial Day approaching, the Belmont Ruritan Club is calling on residents of Lake Anna, Louisa County and the surrounding area to join in a series of events at Culpeper National Cemetery (CNC) honoring America’s fallen heroes. The Belmont Ruritan Club, part of a large national nonprofit dedicated to “Fellowship, Goodwill, and Community Service,” works to inspire people to care for others, their families, community and country.

“We do this to demonstrate our club’s love of country and gratitude for the sacrifices made by military members that assure us the freedom to support our local communities as best we can,” said Willie Kelly, President of the Belmont Ruritan Club, who urges everyone to take part in some way.

Flags-In tradition welcomes volunteers Kelly relayed that on Friday, May 22, at 9:00 a.m., the public is invited to join the annual “Flags-In” event at CNC. Volunteers of all ages are encouraged to help place nearly 14,000 American flags on the graves throughout both the Historical and New sides of the cemetery. Flags will be provided on-site.

Jenn Smith, a Location Coordinator for Wreaths Across America (WAA) at CNC, explained that Flags-In at CNC has been held for many years and has been open to the public for about the last eight years. This family-friendly tradition not only prepares the cemetery for Memorial Day but also offers an opportunity to teach younger generations the importance of remembering and honoring those who served. The flags are placed annually at CNC prior to Memorial Day to honor the nation’s heroes.

The mission of WAA, a national nonprofit, is to “Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom.” WAA strives to fulfill its mission year-round, ensuring that the nation’s veterans will never be forgotten, nor will their names.

Smith emphasized the event’s educational and commemorative value, saying, “This is a beautiful way to Remember, Honor, and Teach the next generation about our nation’s heroes.”

Memorial Day observance ceremony The community is also invited to the Memorial Day Observance Ceremony on Monday, May 25, at 11:00 a.m. The event, to be held on the Historical Side of Culpeper National Cemetery at 305 U.S. Avenue, will pay tribute to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early, as parking and seating may be limited; bringing a chair or blanket is recommended.

Flags-Out and bundling

Following Memorial Day, volunteers are again needed for the “Flags-Out & Bundling” event on Tuesday, May 26, at 9:00 a.m. Participants will assist in removing and bundling flags for use in future ceremonies.

Ongoing support

For those unable to attend the events in person, the Belmont Ruritan Club encourages community members to support the WAA initiative.

Each December, thousands of wreaths are laid at the cemetery to ensure every veteran’s grave is honored. According to Smith, “To ensure full coverage of wreaths at the WAA ceremony, we shoot for about 12,000 wreaths. The exact number of veterans laid at CNC as of December 2025 was 10,439, but we are constantly chasing a moving target as the number of interred veterans increases each year.”

In 2025, nearly 9,600 wreaths were placed, aided by a large last-minute donation, but the goal remains to have enough for every grave. In 2016, only 4,300 wreaths were laid for 8,000 graves, with about 1,500 of those gifted by WAA.

Smith shared, “We have strived to increase that number each year. Most years, we have been successful in that endeavor, though never at our true goal of full coverage.”

Wreath sponsorships are available for $17 each, with donations accepted yearround at the Belmont Ruritan Club’s WAA page: Wreaths Across America – Belmont Ruritan Club.

“Please help us honor and remember as many fallen heroes as possible by sponsoring remembrance wreaths, volunteering on Wreaths Day, or inviting your family and friends to attend with you,” said Kelly, who explained that while Ruritan members have participated in these events informally in the past, the club now intends to make Memorial Day and Wreaths Across America Day official annual activities.

Kelly hopes that others in the community will join their ongoing journey to “Remember, Honor, Teach,” ensuring that patriotism and the recognition of veterans’ sacrifices are not limited to a single day.

“Patriotism should be a continuum of activity,” said Kelly. “We have an obligation to do this and to instill these values in younger generations. Actively participating and, to the extent possible, making participation a family or group activity, is a great modeling opportunity. These are public activities, and the more that participate, the better.”