Blue Star Mothers hoping to place wreaths on every veteran gravesite
By CJ HADDAD
A local non-profit organization, comprised of those who have sons and daughters who serve or have served in the military, guard or reserves, is looking to the public to help decorate veteran graves next month.
The Blue Star Mothers Gulf Coast Florida Chapter 12, which represent Lee and Collier counties, will place wreaths on the graves of veterans at local cemeteries as part of Wreaths Across America Day Saturday, Dec. 13.
Members of the public can purchase a wreath to be placed on a specific grave (local or non-local), or just sponsor a wreath to be placed at a veteran grave.
“This is honestly the most important thing that we do,” said The Blue Star Mothers Gulf Coast Florida Chapter 12 President Tammi Young. “To go and place a wreath on a grave, when you have to step over one veteran’s grave to put a wreath on another veteran’s grave, is heartbreaking. Every one of those veterans deserves a wreath. A lot of these veterans don’t have a family. Every year to walk away knowing that you didn’t get to put a wreath on every one of those graves is difficult.”
The Blue Star Mothers Gulf Coast Florida Chapter 12 will place the wreaths at various cemeteries across the region as part of Wreaths Across America ceremonies, including Coral Ridge in Cape Coral, Memorial Gardens in Fort Myers and Fort Myers Cemetery.
According to Wreaths Across America, there are approximately 8,000 veteran graves in Lee County.
Wreaths are $17 to purchase, with an option to purchase a wreath for a veteran grave, and also an individual’s home.
“This is one of our major fundraisers that we do,” Young said. “Last year, Lee County was 3,600 wreaths short, and we’re really trying to work to make up that deficit to make sure every veteran gets a wreath on their grave.”
The Blue Star Mothers Gulf Coast Florida Chapter 12 has been out and about in the community in hopes to garner attention to their mission. They have booths set up at the Cape Coral Farmers Market and at Coconut Point. A 50/50 raffle will be held Nov. 23 at Margaritaville on Fort Myers Beach as part of a watch party for a National Football League game.
“All of the money we generate from that will go towards purchasing wreaths,” Young said. “We’re just trying to sell as many wreaths as we can.”
While not being able to put a wreath on every grave is disappointing, Young said placing wreaths at graves overall is a rewarding experience.
“It’s a feeling of just being able to honor them,” she said. “Wreaths Across America does a great job with the ceremonies at each cemetery, and there’s so many people and organizations that come from the community. It’s just an opportunity to honor and respect veterans.
“And when we place the wreath, we say their name aloud. We take a moment to actually say their name aloud. It’s not a matter of just laying the wreath down and walking away, it’s a matter of actually honoring that veteran.”
With Cape Coral having a veteran-rich community, and being a Purple Heart City, Young said the city is somewhere where wreaths should be in abundance.
“There are so many veterans that live there now, and will die and be buried there,” she said. “That’s the thing — it’s such a community-bonding event, and members of the community can realize what a difference it makes.”
Proceeds from the wreaths ($5 each wreath) goes back into the Blue Star Mothers Gulf Coast Florida Chapter 12 general fund, which they take and use to help veterans and active military.
“Not only are we honoring veterans that we’ve lost, but the funds help us help those that are currently serving and those veterans here locally.”
Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s year-round mission — Remember, Honor, Teach — is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as at more than 5,500 participating locations in all 50 states and overseas. For more information, visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.
Blue Star Mothers not only provides support for active duty service personnel, but promotes patriotism, assists veterans organizations and is also available to assist in homeland volunteer efforts to help the country remain strong.
For more about Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., visit bluestarmothers.org. The deadline to buy a wreath is Dec. 1; visit www.wreathsacrossamerica. org/FL0654P.
To reach CJ HADDAD / cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com, please email