No veteran should ever be forgotten, especially during the holidays.
Once the tiny American flags are taken off the graves of military veterans after Veterans Day, the Colusa Cemetery gears up for National Wreaths Across America Day.
On Dec. 17, live fir wreaths with red bows will be placed on the graves of veterans to honor and remember American heroes, from the Civil War through peace time to modern day conflicts.
“It is wonderful that there are so many opportunities in this community to recognize our service members,” said Janice Bell, a member of the Colusa Cemetery Board of Directors. “It says a lot about who we are.”
Community members can still sponsor a wreath for $15 through Nov. 28. Only 800 of the 1,035 wreaths needed this year for the Colusa Cemetery, Colusa Catholic Cemetery, and Reservation Cemetery have been purchased, as of Tuesday, said Colusa Cemetery Manager Danielle Hendricks.
“For each two wreaths you sponsor, Wreaths Across America will give us one,” Hendricks said. “So you’re actually buying three wreaths for $30.”
The community is invited to the Wreath Across America ceremony at the Colusa Cemetery.
The ceremony will be held Dec. 17 at 9 AM, in unison with the National Wreath ceremony held at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. and about 3,400 ceremonies held across the United States.
The Colusa ceremony will recognize each branch of the military, represented by the placement of a wreath by a service member from each, and Colusa’s Gold Star Mom Gloria Estrada, whose son, Private First Class Rueben “Boy” Lopez, was killed in action on Aug. 11, 2011, while serving in Afghanistan, and Gold Star Dad Mark Hill, whose son Brandon Lee Hill died training at his Naval Base in Virginia on Jan. 27, 2020.
The grandchildren of veterans are invited to the ceremony to lead the flag salute, Hendricks said.
Following the ceremony, community members can help place the wreaths on the graves.
Unlike Memorial Day, Wreaths Across America is meant also to be a day to teach the community and local organizations about this country’s veterans, cemeteries, monuments, and parks, or anywhere a tribute to their service can be recognized.
Community organizations are encouraged to sponsor wreaths and volunteer to help at the ceremony. The Colusa Rotary Club sponsored 20 wreaths for $300 so that – with the match – 30 veterans will be remembered during the holidays.
To sponsor a wreath, contact Hendricks at (530) 458-2650 or visit wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/167180 or scan the QR code in the ad below.
Wreaths can also be sponsored for service members buried in Williams. ■