Every year volunteers from Wreaths Across America lay wreaths on the graves of fallen veterans. On Dec. 16, the nonprofit will gather at Mountain View Cemetary at 620 11th Ave. to remember and honor those who served.
Wreaths Across America serves 93 separate cemetery locations across Colorado and tries to raise enough money to adorn each veteran’s grave with a live balsam wreath.
Delaney Dreckman is the Longmont coordinator. Her husband, stepfather and grandfathers served in the military. She told the Leader that she feels it is her responsibility to teach her children the value of freedom.
“Now I’m not just telling people to teach their children the value of freedom, I have that responsibility to do it at home as well,” Dreckman said.
Each year the Longmont group gathers at the cemetery to lay the wreaths. They invite local groups, especially children’s groups, to join them. In the past, they have invited girl and boy scout groups to lay wreaths on the graves. A small ceremony is held before the first wreath is placed that remembers the fallen heroes and teaches children to value the freedom they now have due to the sacrifices of those remembered.
Just over a month away, the local chapter is still raising money to purchase the wreaths. Donations are welcome online at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/co0204 or www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/co0139p . Checks can mailed to Wreaths Across America COMVCL, P.O. Box 249, Columbia Falls, Maine, 04623.
