Volunteer Org. Still Needs 155,000 Wreaths for Vet
Post# of 51171
A group that annually places wreaths at hundreds of thousands of graves at Arlington National Cemetery is asking for your help.
Jenna Lee put out the call on "Happening Now" today, a year after the show helped Wreaths Across America place a wreath at each fallen hero's final resting place.
The donation-based organization, places roughly 700,000 wreaths at cemeteries nationwide, including 230,000 at the Arlington alone as part of a tradition that started in 1992.
The volunteer organization, which receives no money from the government, is responsible for raising more than $3 million to accomplish its goal. The sum grows each year as more of our veterans pass away.
The group is short about 155,000 wreaths ahead of Dec. 17, which is National Wreaths Across America Day. Sponsorship for a wreath is $15.
One of the volunteers, Bre Kingsbury, said this morning that not only is it important to lay the wreath at the grave, but also to say that veteran's name.
"It is so important when you look down at that grave, before you place the wreath, you say their name. ... They die a first time from their physical death and a second time the last time their name is spoken out loud," she said.
Jenna explained that so many who have been laid to rest at Arlington do not have any surviving family members.
Watch the "Happening Now" segment above and go here for information about how to help.