Posted at: 12/18/2009 1:52 PM | KSAX.com
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Kandiyohi Man Collects Wreaths for Soldier Graves

WILLMAR, Minn. (AP) - A western Minnesota man is hoping to break his own record of last year by placing 500 wreaths on the gravesites of fallen soldiers in Kandiyohi County this holiday season.

Last year, Ron Mackedanz placed about 120 donated wreaths at gravesites.

Mackedanz is a member of the Minnesota Patriot Guard, which attends soldier funerals to pay respects. Last year, he heard the group's leadership was placing 3,500 wreaths on gravesites at Fort Snelling cemetery, and he decided to take on a similar challenge in his own backyard.

The local veterans service office estimated nearly 1,700 veterans have gravestones in Kandiyohi County, some going back as far as the War of 1812. Mackedanz doesn't think he'll get to all of them but says he'll be happy if he gets to 500.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)