Wreaths Across America honors veterans every year on the third Saturday of December. (Photo: Steve Ranson/LVN, file)
Planning and receiving donations have entered the homestretch for this year’s Wreaths Across America, one of the largest veterans events in Northern Nevada.
Wreaths Across America is conducted around the world Dec. 18, and the ceremony begins at 9 a.m. at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley and 1 p.m. in Fallon.
Locally, the program draws thousands of friends and family members who place wreaths at the NNVMC and the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City in addition to county or regional cemeteries.
Every year, the Nevada Veterans Coalition in Fernley raises money to buy wreaths for more than 8,500 veterans who are interred at the cemetery. At the Fallon cemetery, more than 1,300 wreaths are needed for veterans’ graves.
Wreaths are placed at each veteran’s headstone or along the columbarium at Fernley each year through the work of volunteers and the NVC. Spokesman Tom Draughon said the coalition should have enough wreaths to honor each veteran.
During previous ceremonies, volunteers from Naval Air Station Fallon, the Nevada National Guard, U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps and the Civil Air Patrol have assisted the coalition during the 30-minute ceremony and with the placement of wreaths.
To order a wreath for the NNVMC event, go to nnvc.org and click on Wreaths Across America for the pdf form, or mail your donation to the following: Nevada Veterans Coalition; P.O. Box 415; Fernley, Nevada 89408.
Director Kat Miller of the Nevada Department of Veterans Services said the wreaths are entirely funded through private donations in honor of veterans and family members who are placed at the Fernley cemetery.
The Fallon remembrance is short of wreaths.
By staggering the time to noon, guests and volunteers can also attend the Fernley remembrance. Fallon’s event will be conducted between the two white buildings located at the northern end of the Churchill County Cemetery.
Sponsorship levels are individual or $15 for one wreath; family, four wreaths, $60; small business, 10 wreaths, $150; and corporate, 100 wreaths for $1,500.
To order, go to www.wreathsacrossamerica.org. The group ID is NV0063, and the location ID is NVCHCC. The group and location IDs must be entered so the wreaths are earmarked for Fallon.
For information to donate or volunteer, call Lisa at 775-666-5219.
