Michael Whitaker
The pandemic has impacted many events, including the Fifth Annual Chandler Wreaths Across America event to be held at the Valley of the Sun Mortuary and Cemetery this December.
Michael Whitaker, project coordinator and member of the Exchange Club of Chandler, noted that there are 2,700-plus veterans buried at the Chandler cemetery.
“Because of the pandemic, we only received permission to host the event recently and under the governor’s mandates,” said Michael. “Only 1,000 wreaths have been sponsored to date, but an additional 1,700 wreaths need to be sponsored if all the veterans are to be honored.”
The annual memorial ceremony is not open to the public but will be streamed on Facebook Live! The ceremony will be broadcast at 10 a.m. on several Facebook pages, including the Valley of the Sun Cemetery, the Chandler Elks, and the Exchange Clubs of Chandler and Phoenix.
The Wreaths Across America got its start in 1992 when the Worcester Wreath Company had a surplus of 5,000 wreaths. The company arranged for the wreaths to be placed at Arlington.
It has since become a national project. Last year, 2.2 million veterans received wreaths at 2,158 locations nationwide.
Valley of the Sun Mortuary and Cemetery has been proudly serving Chandler and the East Valley of the Phoenix area since 1963. For more than 50 years, their commitment to the community and area veterans has been to provide respectful and caring service.
Individuals may sponsor a wreath for $15. A Family Pack of four wreaths is $60, and a Small Business sponsorship is $150 for 10 wreaths. Go to www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/AZ0084P to sponsor wreaths.
For additional information, contact Michael Whitaker at [email protected], or cell phone 480-241-9448.