Wreaths remember fallen veterans

The annual Wreaths Across America program is less than two months away, but the fundraising to place a wreath on every veteran’s grave is continuing for both the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Fernley and the Churchill County Cemetery.

The Wreaths Across America remembrance ceremony is planned for Dec. 17 at 9 a.m. at the NNVMC and noon at Fallon. Although the nation places wreaths at the same time around the world, the delayed time at Fallon allows the Fernley participants to attend the local event. Veterans will be recognized in all 50 states and territories and at overseas cemeteries.

The 9 a.m. beginning at Fernley, which is organized by the Nevada Veterans Coalition, coincides with participants attending the ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. The NNVMC is one of two state-operated veteran cemeteries on Nevada. The larger of the two cemeteries is located in Boulder City.

Wreaths Across America event is normally conducted on the third Saturday of December.

With a theme of “Find a Way to Serve,” Wreaths Across America is the second largest military event behind Memorial Day to honor veterans from all branches of military service.

Organizers at both local venues said they have been raising funds to sponsor a wreath at each veteran’s resting place. They added nonprofit organizations also raise money and donate it to the local programs. More than 8,000 veterans are interred at the NNVMC with an average of 400 additional veterans added to the cemetery’s rolls each year. Wreaths are placed on the graves and at the columbarium wall at NNVMC.

Another 1,300 veterans dating back to the Spanish American War are buried at the Churchill County Cemetery.

Steve Ranson / LVN file photo

Boxes of wreaths arrive several days before the actual Wreaths Across America ceremony at area cemeteries to include the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley and the Churchill County Cemetery.

 

Volunteers from Naval Air Station Fallon, the Nevada National Guard, U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps and the Civil Air Patrol assist the NVC during the Fernley ceremony and with the placement of wreaths. A cadet from one of the two youth groups accompanies a veteran from a branch of service that’s being recognized, and then helps with the placement of a remembrance wreath at a medallion near the pavilion. Volunteers from Naval Air Station Fallon and local youth groups have assisted with prior Fallon ceremonies.

To order a wreath for Fernley’s NNVMC event, go to nnvc.org and click on Wreaths Across America for the pdf form, or mail your donation to: Nevada Veterans Coalition; P.O. Box 415; Fernley, NV 89408.

To order for Fallon, go to http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.com. The group ID is NV0063, and the location ID is NVCHCC. Local organizers said it’s important to enter the group and location IDs so the wreaths may be earmarked for Fallon.