Wreaths Across America Ceremony Dec. 18 at Barrancas; Big Lagoon Kiwanians accepting sponsorships through Nov.29
Wreaths Across America Ceremony Dec. 18 at Barrancas; Big Lagoon Kiwanians accepting sponsorships through Nov.29
The Kiwanis Club of Big Lagoon is again spearheading the local effort to participate in the Wreaths Across America program to remember and honor our fallen veterans. The club is taking orders for wreaths specifically for Barrancas National Cemetery at NAS Pensacola through No.29.
This year’s Wreaths Across America ceremony and placement of wreaths at Barrancas will be on December 18 beginning at 9 a.m. Wreath sponsorships start at $15 and payment can be made online with credit card or by check using the downloadable mail-in order form. You may pick up the wreaths or the Kiwanians and their helpers will place it for you. For more information, email barrancaswreaths@gmail.com, visit barrancaswreaths.com or call 850-207-1217.
“Take this opportunity to demonstrate your organizations gratitude for the sacrifices made by veterans,’’ said Martin Haygood, a volunteer coordinator with the Kiwanis Club. “Wreaths are not sent to Barrancas unless they are sponsored by grateful patriots. Neither the VA, the Branches of the Military nor any other part of the government provides wreaths.
“Last year we were able to place only 19,600 wreaths on the 50,000 graves at Barrancas and sadly we are behind last year’s totals. Only a little over 8,000 wreaths have been sponsored so far in 2021.’’
The Big Lagoon Kiwanis, with help from the Bailey Middle School Builder’s Club and the K-Kids Club, along with several other local area non-profits, will place the wreaths at veterans’ head stones to honor veterans and provide an excellent opportunity to teach younger generations about the value of their freedoms and the importance of honoring those who sacrificed so much to protect those freedoms.
In 1992, 5,000 wreaths were donated by Morrill Worcester and Worcester WreathCo. Years later, in 2005, an iconic photo of these wreaths in snow became a viral sensation. Finally, in 2007, Wreaths Across America is formed as a nonprofit. WAA’s mission is carried out by coordinating ceremonies in all 50 states.