More wreaths requested for annual ceremony

Organizers for this year’s Wreaths Across America ceremony at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery said donations for wreaths are falling short of expectation.

According to the Nevada Veterans Coalition website, the goal to fund 7,900 wreaths is at 71 percent.

Time is running out to purchase wreaths said the NVC’s Brett Palmer. He said donations for the wreaths is not a fundraiser to purchase a wreath, he said people can go either online (http://supportnnvc.org) or to the NVC’s Facebook site. The cost for each wreath is $15.

This year’s Wreaths Across America ceremony is Dec. 16 at 9 a.m. Volunteers will place more than 7,500 wreaths on veterans’ graves and along the columbarium at the NNVMC in Fernley. The ceremony’s starting time coincides with the laying of wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery at noon.

The Wreaths Across America project, according to the organization’s website, is the second largest ceremony behind Memorial Day to honor veterans from all branches of military service. The program recognizes veterans in all 50 states, territories and at overseas national cemeteries.

The NVC has been involved in the wreaths’ project for nine years. About 500 volunteers will place wreaths this year after a short ceremony that explains the symbolism behind the Wreaths Across America project. Veterans’ organizations, sailors from Naval Air Station Fallon and military personnel from the Nevada National Guard participate in the one-hour event.

So far for this year’s ceremony, the NVC has received donations from family members, the active-duty community and interested people.