Roman Martin
We are back! Chandler Elks Lodge #2429 is readying the 2019 project to place wreaths on all 2,700 veterans’ graves in Valley of the Sun Cemetery in Chandler. If you have sponsored a wreath previously, thank you.
We place the wreaths in order to Honor, Teach and Remember each and every veteran who has signed a blank check to their country. Not all have died in the service of their country but have given up years of their lives to provide a better way of living for the rest of us.
Our purpose is to Remember those who have served in our Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine. When we place a wreath on their gravesite, we are remembering them, and they are not forgotten. We Honor those serving our nation today, and we Teach our children about our history and those who have given so much to our United States of America.
The BPOE Lodge #2429 and Wreaths Across America are 501(c)(3) organizations, and the Veterans Assistance Committee is working with The Exchange Club of Chandler to sponsor and place fresh balsam wreaths on each of the 2,700 veterans’ graves in Valley of the Sun Cemetery on Chandler Heights Road. In years past, we have been successful in placing wreaths on 1,600 grave and are setting our goal on obtaining sponsorships for all of the graves.
The Veterans Assistance Committee uses the money we earn to provide support for veterans and their families who need support here in the Phoenix area. That assistance may come in the form of financial assistance, meals for those in need, shopping trips for clothing or health services. We also provide support to other charitable organizations that support our active military in forward deployment areas of the world.
Cost of sponsorship is $15.00 per wreath and our goal, as in previous years, is to place a wreath on each grave; however, any donation, however small, is greatly appreciated and will be combined to obtain a sponsorship.
The wreaths will be placed on 14 December at 9:00 a.m., and a memorial service will be held after all wreaths are placed. Volunteers are most welcome. To obtain a sponsorship form, please email [email protected] or call 602-330-1906.