BAY PINES, Fla. \u2014 Remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach the next generation the value of freedom.\u00a0This is the mission of Wreaths Across America.<\/p>\n
What You Need To Know<\/p>\n
Wreaths Across America is a mission to remember the fallen and honor those who served
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Thomas Schooley participates annually, inspired by his late mother who passed in 2020
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Fundraising efforts helped place 8,500 wreaths at Bay Pines National Cemetery this year
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Organizers hope to continue increasing the number of wreaths with community support<\/p>\n
For Thomas Schooley, it has become a yearly tradition.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I found out that this happens, I signed up the very first year after my mom passed,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Schooley\u2019s mom died from cancer in 2020.<\/p>\n
Her name, Betty, is written along with Schooley\u2019s stepfather, Paul, at the cemetery.<\/p>\n
Schooley is one of dozens of people who place wreaths across these markers to honor all those who served our country.<\/p>\n
\u201cI come out here at least once a month,\u201d he said. \u201cI try to do it every other week and just sit and have a talk with her.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ronalee Klase, the Bay Pines coordinator for Wreaths Across America, said she\u2019s grateful to every person who donated to purchase these wreaths.<\/p>\n
Still, with the number they have, they have to spread the wreaths one for every four veterans.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t have quite as many wreaths here as I would like to see, but we have a good showing,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Klase said there are 35,000 graves at Bay Pines National Cemetery.<\/p>\n
Last year, 5,000 wreaths were laid at veterans\u2019 graves.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s this number that inspired Schooley to reach out and try to increase the number of wreaths available.<\/p>\n
\u201cI made it my point this year to ask for donations from my group,\u201d he said in reference to the Facebook group, THUNDER BOLTS. \u201cWe raised $4,000.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thanks to that money and all the others who donated, there were 8,500 wreaths laid this year.<\/p>\n
While it\u2019s still less than they like, Klase said she\u2019s focusing on making sure the community understands what makes this so special.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just a way to say we love you, we miss you, and we wish you were here,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n