Fallon wreath group seeks volunteers

The annual Wreaths Across America program is Dec. 16 with the largest event scheduled at 9 a.m. for the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley.

The Wreaths Across America remembrance ceremony is also planned for 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. Veterans will be recognized in all 50 states and territories and at overseas cemeteries.

Lisa Devall Mckinzie, the local coordinator of Fallon’s WAA ceremony, said additional volunteers are needed for that day and will assist with placing wreaths on approximately 1,300 gravesites. At previous WAA ceremonies, she said high school, community and military groups have volunteered to place wreaths. Volunteers are encouraged to arrive shortly before noon.

Before the wreaths are placed, a speaker will honor the veterans being recognized.

Across the United States, its territories and military cemeteries in foreign countries, and at more than 1,100 memorial sites like the state veterans’ cemetery in Fernley, visitors and participants will gather as one nation to, what organizers say, is to “Remember, Honor and Teach.”

Visitors are not at the cemeteries to decorate graves, which is done on Memorial Day.

“We are here to remember not their deaths, but their lives,” organizers inform the visitors. “Each wreath is a gift of appreciation from a grateful America.”

To ensure every WAA ceremony is successful, organizations across the region fundraise year-round to buy the wreaths.

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.

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.