More than 2,700 graves at the National Military Cemetery in Ottawa had balsam wreaths placed upon them on the first Sunday in December  in what Wreaths Across Canada  hopes will become an annual tradition that spreads across the country.

Air Force veteran Craig McPhee brought the idea to Canada from the U.S., where he was impressed with a display at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Wreaths were placed on headstones of every veteran at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa, and organizers hope the day will come when wreaths are placed on the headstones of every veteran across the country on the first Sunday in December.

“The wreaths symbolize our thanks to those who have served their country in the military and now lie at rest. Whether they died in battle, training accidents or years after retiring from the military, all who lie buried in these hallowed grounds deserve the thanks of a grateful nation for defending the freedoms and lifestyle we enjoy today,” says the website.

Donations to the registered charity pays for wreaths which are placed by volunteers.

The Royal Canadian Legion offers moral support to the organization.  Individual branches  choose whether to participate in local Wreaths Across Canada events.

In a separate event, Wreaths Across America honoured military veterans and personnel from the U.S. and Canada with wreath exchanges at three sites along the border. Wreaths were exchanged at  bridges connecting  Calais, Maine, and St. Stephen, N.B.; Sweetgrass, Mont., and Coutts, Alta.; and Detroit, Mich., and Windsor, Ont.