Wreaths Across America
Kay Lantow and Linda Nicholson
Calling all SaddleBrooke Ranch residents to arms for Wreaths Across America! This year’s event will be held on Saturday, December 12, at 10:00 a.m. at the Evergreen Cemetery in Tucson.
This will be the second annual effort by Ranch residents to honor veterans with a Christmas wreath placed on the graves of those who served our great country.
The Worcester Wreath company of Harrington, Maine, organized Wreaths Across America in 1992, placing their wreaths at Arlington cemetery. By 2014, with the help of volunteers and corporations, 700,000 wreaths were donated and placed at over 1,000 participating locations.
Sheron Jones, President of American Gold Star Mothers in southern Arizona, took charge of the 2014 event and is also in charge of the 2015 event. Kay Lantow met Sheron in October 2014 when she spoke at a luncheon in Oro Valley, seeking volunteers and contributions for the 5,000 plus Veterans’ graves in southern Arizona.
On December 13, 2014 the morning greeted our volunteers with dark and cloudy skies and a light rain. Undeterred by the threatening weather, the 10 troopers met early to carpool to the cemetery. Under a light rain the volunteers witnessed a touching ceremony and enjoyed keynote speakers. The ceremony closed with Amazing Grace performed on bagpipes.
As the wreaths were unboxed our troopers lined up with other volunteers, looping the beautiful bow adorned evergreen wreaths over their arms and headed into the Veterans’ sections of the cemetery. Undaunted by a cold and heavy rain, the volunteers searched out the veteran grave markers and while laying the wreath recited a silent prayer and offered thanks.
Last year even with 750 wreaths donated at Evergreen Cemetery not all Veterans’ graves could be honored.
Please consider joining us this year on Saturday, December 12, 2015 to honor Veterans by laying Christmas wreaths at Evergreen Cemetery. To volunteer please contact Kay Lantow at [email protected] or Linda Nicholson at [email protected].
The cost of one wreath is $15 and can be quickly and easily donated through the website: www.wreathsacrossamerica.org. If you prefer to use the paper order form, these are available through Kay and Linda. Wreath donations should be made not later than November 15 in order to meet the deadline for the ceremony.
Note: Sheron Jones of American Gold Star Mothers will be speaking on November 20, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at a meeting of the Republican Women of Pinal County. The meeting will be held at SaddleBrooke HOA One in the Coyote Room.
For more information about Wreaths Across America, visit: www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.