Alta Vista and Memorial Park Cemeteries will once again adorn the graves of veterans who rest there with wreaths as part of the Wreaths Across America program.
This is the second year at Memorial Park, however, Local Location Leader Gail Mangum said the effort has been prominent in Gainesville for at least the past eight years.
"We do as much as we can to get enough sponsorships to lay a wreath at Alta Vista and Memorial Park and we hold the ceremony on December 14 to honor our veterans," said Local Location Leader Gail Mangum.
This year's theme is "Everyone plays a part" and the community can play a part in two ways. The first is to sponsor a wreath for $15, through a local organization supporting WAA or on your own.
"The last day to sponsor a wreath this year is December 2," said Mangum. "You can go online to the Wreaths Across America homepage to do that."
In addition, you can come to the wreath-laying ceremony on December 14 - National Wreaths Across America Day - at noon, and help lay a wreath on a veteran's grave.
"It's just a great way to say thank you to veterans," said Mangum. "The families of veterans are there and their appreciation is just... you can see it on their faces what it means to them to know their veterans are still remembered."
So far, 102 wreaths have been sponsored at Memorial Park and 635 wreaths have been sponsored at Alta Vista. Neither cemetery has met its goal as of publication time.
A noon-time ceremony December 14 will take place at both Alta Vista and Memorial Park cemeteries.
More information locally is on the Wreaths Across America - Gainesville GA Facebook page or online at WreathsAcrossAmerica.org
Monday
December 23rd, 2024
8:40AM
