Veteran's Day in November segues quickly into the holiday season and the members of the Colonel William Candler chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution are encouraging residents to remember the veterans who are no longer with us this holiday season.
The chapter is working with Wreaths Across America and is trying to get more 7,000 wreath sponsorships by the end of November to ensure every veteran laid to rest in Alta Vista or Memorial Park cemeteries has a wreath laid on their grave sites.
"Those wreaths come from a company up in Maine that has been doing this program about 20 years now. It started out at Arlington National Cemetery and has expanded to local locations," said Gail Mangum, the local location leader in Gainesville for WAA and a DAR member.
Mangum said a single wreath sponsorship is $15. The deadline to sponsor a wreath is November 27.
On December 16 at noon, a wreath laying ceremony will take place at both Gainesville ceremonies simultaneously.
"This is the first year that Memorial Park has joined us - we've been doing it at Alta Vista for about five years now," said Mangum. "If folks haven't been out, you'll find it to be a very touching ceremony. I just think it's very important we honor our veterans because they are our past and not only are they our past, but they are our future, and it just helps to ensure that we remember."
Those interested in sponsoring a wreath in Alta Vista or Memorial Park can do so online or by contacting Mangum if you have questions or want to volunteer the day of the ceremony.
