Wreaths Across America Lays 21,000 Wreaths at
Fort Rosecrans, Miramar National Cemeteries
A large turnout of volunteers lent their hands and hearts to the annual Wreaths Across America event, Dec. 16, placing some 21,000 holiday decorations on gravesites at San Diego’s veterans’ cemeteries. Of those, 8,100 wreaths were distributed at Miramar National Cemetery.
The volunteers included members of veterans’ organizations, active duty personnel, and members of youth and civic groups. The event was coordinated by cemetery Director Rex Kern and the cemetery staff, and members of the Wreaths Across America Foundation.
The Miramar National Cemetery Support Foundation participated in the event. Board members greeted visitors, provided information about Foundation activities, and handed out souvenir American flags.
This is the 12th year of the Wreaths Across America program, which includes activities at all 135 VA national cemeteries. Wreaths are provided for veterans of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine and for Prisoners of War (POW) and those missing in action (MIA).
The Wreaths Across America Foundation held wreath-laying ceremonies at 1,422 locations nationwide, and provided nearly 500 truck-loads with a total of 1,565,000 wreaths, according to foundation officials.
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By Bill Heard, PIO