Sandy and Terry Cooper, Donna and David Prewitt, Cynthia and Don Avila, Ann and Dave Palenshus, Kathy and Jerry Meyer, Linda Nicholson, and Mary Ann Melhorn
Linda Nicholson
In December, SaddleBrooke Ranch (SBR) residents participated in laying Christmas wreaths on veterans’ graves at Evergreen Cemetery in Tucson. The annual event to honor veterans was held on Saturday morning, Dec. 14.
The morning was sunny, clear, and warm. Enjoying some coffee and donuts and fellowship, approximately 50 volunteers across Tucson gathered for the ceremony and laying of the wreaths. SaddleBrooke Ranch was represented by Sandy and Terry Cooper, Mary Ann Melhorn, Kathy and Jerry Meyer, Ann and Dave Palenshus, and Donna and David Prewitt. SaddleBrooke residents Cynthia and Don Avila also participated.
Sheron Jones, President of Southern AZ Gold Star Mothers, began the ceremony with posting of the colors by the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution in their period dress. Following the national anthem, Boy Scout Troop 339 led the volunteers in the Pledge of Allegiance. The invocation was given by Mike Dyer, Military Order of the Purple Heart, who expressed the paramount importance of honoring and remembering our service men and women and their sacrifices in protecting our country’s freedom.
As a Gold Star Mother, Sheron Jones spoke of the loss of her son in Iraq. She reminded us that the rights and benefits that we enjoy as Americans come at a price and great sacrifice paid by our service men and women since the birth of our country. The importance of Remember, Honor, and Teach must be paid forward so that their sacrifice and that of their families are never forgotten. As there are more than 15,000 veterans’ graves at Evergreen Cemetery, Sheron encouraged the volunteers to become more involved in raising awareness of Wreaths Across America.
Sheron Jones called for volunteers who served in the military to place a symbolic wreath for each of the military branches. SBR resident and veteran Ann Palenshus placed the wreath for the Air Force. SBR resident and veteran Jerry Meyer placed the wreath for the Coast Guard.
Following the retirement of the colors and playing of Taps, the volunteers dispersed to lay the 916 wreaths received by Evergreen Cemetery. Taking one wreath at a time, the volunteers stop to say the veteran’s name and offer gratitude for their service and sacrifice as they lay the wreath on the grave.
I gratefully acknowledge our SaddleBrooke Ranch residents for their donations and raffle ticket purchases totaling $3,700. Thank you to Donna Prewitt for joining our team as co-coordinator and Sheron Jones for her many years of support to Wreaths Across America.