Wreaths Across America

Roman Martin

Tempus Fugit – Time Flies. Oh, how quickly we are approaching that Saturday when we will place our Remembrance Wreaths on the graves of those heroes who have served our country in the uniformed services. There are over 2,700 veterans’ gravesites at Valley of the Sun Cemetery on Chandler Heights Road in Chandler, and the Elks Lodge #2429 is asking your assistance in providing wreaths for each of those gravesites.

We have celebrated Halloween and the return of our Chamber of Commerce weather and are looking forward to the holidays. In addition to the Hanukkah and Christmas seasons, on Dec. 14 at 9 a.m., volunteers will meet at the cemetery to place fresh balsam wreaths on each of those sites to Remember, Honor, and Teach.

To Remember is to keep the memories of that veteran alive and the causes for which they served. Not all of our veterans served in time of war or insurrection; however, all signed their names to a blank check for the benefit of their country. They did not know if they would be called upon to have that check cashed, but they stepped up nonetheless.

We Honor these veterans throughout the year by sponsoring events that provide support to veterans and veteran organizations in our community. We provide assistance to veterans in need with food, clothing, and anonymous financial support with the money that each sponsoring organization earns by obtaining your sponsorships for the placement of wreaths on graves in our community.

In partnership with Wreaths Across America, we Teach younger generations the value of service to our country and the importance of remembering that service. The convoy of wreaths stops at schools along the way to impress students about service to others.

If you have been putting off sending in your sponsorship form or need a form, contact Roman Martin at 602-330-1906 or Nancy Espy at 480-202-0181. Cost for sponsoring a wreath is $15.00 and is a tax-deductible donation to Wreaths Across America, a 501(c)(3) corporation.

For credit to this year’s celebration, all sponsorship forms should be received at the Maine address no later than Dec. 1, 2019. If you are interested in volunteering, there is no requirement to register Just show up at Valley of the Sun Cemetery on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 8:30 a.m.

On behalf of Wreaths Across America and the Chandler Elks Lodge #2429, we would like to express our thanks to you for your support these past five years and look forward to a successful celebration.