SOUTH TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) \u2014 For families of fallen service members, the passage of time does not mean their loved ones are forgotten. <\/p>\n
One local Gold Star mother says communities must continue to make an effort to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.<\/p>\n
WATCH FULL REPORT BELOW:<\/p>\n
1,800 more wreaths needed to honor fallen service members<\/p>\n
Nan Cuchens, president of the Tallahassee chapter of American Gold Star Mothers of America, lost her son, LCpl Daniel B. Chaires, a Marine who was killed in Iraq in 2006.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe years pass. It’s been 20 years almost since Daniel was killed. Well, the families don’t forget, but sometimes the communities forget,\u201d Cuchens said.<\/p>\n
A reason she believes traditions like Wreaths Across America help keep fallen service members’ memories alive.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe big thing is we don’t want to forget any of them. That’s it,\u201d Cuchens said.<\/p>\n
At Tallahassee National Cemetery, volunteers will place wreaths on graves and speak each service member’s name during the annual Wreaths Across America ceremony.<\/p>\n
Wayne Hooks, the local Wreaths Across America coordinator, said the cemetery has about 3,800 graves. <\/p>\n
Organizers say they need roughly 1,800 more wreaths to honor every grave this year.<\/p>\n
Hooks said organizers have never fallen short of their goal, but the need continues to grow as more veterans are laid to rest at the cemetery.<\/p>\n
\u201cCemeteries don’t ever get smaller; they only grow,\u201d Hooks said. \u201cWe see anywhere between 200 and 400 burials a year.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Gold Star families, the effort to honor fallen service members is deeply personal.<\/p>\n
Cuchens says families continue to show up because remembering their loved ones is a commitment that does not end.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Gold Star families always turn out. They always do. They don’t have to be a part of an organization that says, \u2018Hey, we should go do this.\u2019 Within their heart, they know that it’s the thing to,\u201d Cuchens said.<\/p>\n
The Wreaths Across America ceremony is scheduled for Dec. 19 at Tallahassee National Cemetery.<\/p>\n
Hooks says the deadline to order wreaths is Dec. 2, allowing time for them to be prepared and shipped fresh for the ceremony.<\/p>\n
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.<\/p>\n
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