A local non-profit organization, comprised of those who have sons and daughters who serve or have served in the military, guard or reserves, is looking to the public to help decorate veteran graves next month.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Blue Star Mothers Gulf Coast Florida Chapter 12, which represent Lee and Collier counties, will place wreaths on the graves of veterans at local cemeteries as part of Wreaths Across America Day Saturday, Dec. 13.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Members of the public can purchase a wreath to be placed on a specific grave (local or non-local), or just sponsor a wreath to be placed at a veteran grave.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is honestly the most important thing that we do,\u201d said The Blue Star Mothers Gulf Coast Florida Chapter 12 President Tammi Young. \u201cTo go and place a wreath on a grave, when you have to step over one veteran\u2019s grave to put a wreath on another veteran\u2019s grave, is heartbreaking. Every one of those veterans deserves a wreath. A lot of these veterans don\u2019t have a family. Every year to walk away knowing that you didn\u2019t get to put a wreath on every one of those graves is difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Blue Star Mothers Gulf Coast Florida Chapter 12 will place the wreaths at various cemeteries across the region as part of Wreaths Across America ceremonies, including Coral Ridge in Cape Coral, Memorial Gardens in Fort Myers and Fort Myers Cemetery.\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to Wreaths Across America, there are approximately 8,000 veteran graves in Lee County.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Wreaths are $17 to purchase, with an option to purchase a wreath for a veteran grave, and also an individual\u2019s home.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is one of our major fundraisers that we do,\u201d Young said. \u201cLast year, Lee County was 3,600 wreaths short, and we\u2019re really trying to work to make up that deficit to make sure every veteran gets a wreath on their grave.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Blue Star Mothers Gulf Coast Florida Chapter 12 has been out and about in the community in hopes to garner attention to their mission. They have booths set up at the Cape Coral Farmers Market and at Coconut Point. A 50\/50 raffle will be held Nov. 23 at Margaritaville on Fort Myers Beach as part of a watch party for a National Football League game.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAll of the money we generate from that will go towards purchasing wreaths,\u201d Young said. \u201cWe\u2019re just trying to sell as many wreaths as we can.\u201d<\/p>\n
While not being able to put a wreath on every grave is disappointing, Young said placing wreaths at graves overall is a rewarding experience.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a feeling of just being able to honor them,\u201d she said. \u201cWreaths Across America does a great job with the ceremonies at each cemetery, and there\u2019s so many people and organizations that come from the community. It\u2019s just an opportunity to honor and respect veterans.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd when we place the wreath, we say their name aloud. We take a moment to actually say their name aloud. It\u2019s not a matter of just laying the wreath down and walking away, it\u2019s a matter of actually honoring that veteran.\u201d<\/p>\n
With Cape Coral having a veteran-rich community, and being a Purple Heart City, Young said the city is somewhere where wreaths should be in abundance.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are so many veterans that live there now, and will die and be buried there,\u201d she said. \u201cThat\u2019s the thing \u2014 it\u2019s such a community-bonding event, and members of the community can realize what a difference it makes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Proceeds from the wreaths ($5 each wreath) goes back into the Blue Star Mothers Gulf Coast Florida Chapter 12 general fund, which they take and use to help veterans and active military.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot only are we honoring veterans that we\u2019ve lost, but the funds help us help those that are currently serving and those veterans here locally.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization\u2019s year-round mission \u2014 Remember, Honor, Teach \u2014 is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as at more than 5,500 participating locations in all 50 states and overseas.\u00a0For more information, visit\u00a0www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.<\/p>\n
Blue Star Mothers not only provides support for active duty service personnel, but promotes patriotism, assists veterans organizations and is also available to assist in homeland volunteer efforts to help the country remain strong.\u00a0<\/p>\n
To learn more about Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., visit\u00a0bluestarmothers.org.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The deadline to purchase a wreath is Dec. 1. To purchase a wreath, visit\u00a0www.wreathsacrossamerica. org\/FL0654P.<\/p>\n