PASCO – As the deadline approaches, Pasco is appealing to the community for help to honor every veteran at City View Cemetery with a wreath this December.
Currently, the city is midway to its goal of ensuring all 970 veterans receive a wreath for the Wreaths Across America ceremony.
Pasco officials are urging for more wreath sponsorships and volunteers by Friday’s deadline to avoid choosing which veterans receive wreaths and which do not.
“Let’s not forget those veterans. I know money can be tight, but really, if you could sponsor a wreath that would be fantastic,” said Dan Dotta, the Facilities Manager for the City of Pasco.
The city reports that only about half of the veterans are guaranteed a wreath for this year’s ceremony.
“We’re right about 48%. Now, we do have some other commitments coming in, but they haven’t yet. and so I can’t count on it, but we’re right about 50% right there,” said Dotta.
The city emphasizes the importance of reaching their goal, as they want to ensure no veteran is forgotten.
“I’d really like to make sure we get another hundred percent. We don’t forget our veterans. It’s important to me, and I know it’s important to our community,” said Dotta.
Each wreath costs $17 and can be purchased through the city’s website or Wreaths Across America’s page. Volunteers are needed on December 13 to help place all 970 wreaths.
“Wreaths across America is where we put a wreath on every one of the veterans’ headstones, and we remember who they are and the service that they did,” said Dotta.
Last year, over 300 volunteers completed the wreath placement in just 30 minutes, providing a moving experience for families present.
“I’ve seen people, total strangers, just tear up because what we do is we actually place a coin on each of the headstones. We say the veteran’s name, and then we say thank you for your service,” said Dotta.
Pasco hopes the community will once again rally together to ensure every veteran is recognized by Friday’s deadline.
“Community, community spirit, that whole process of recognizing our veterans and recognizing our proud heritage,” said Dotta.
For those interested in sponsoring a wreath or volunteering, more information can be found on the city’s website and Wreaths Across America website.
