"I think we should remember veterans every day. But, this is our way of putting a wreath on there and looking at the headstones and saying we remember you. Thank you,” says Tom Draughon of the Nevada Veterans Coalition.
A wreath for every service member laid to rest at the Northern Nevada Veterans Cemetery in Fernley. All being prepared by volunteers today for the ceremony being held tomorrow.
"It's quite an emotional experience. You don't realize how far you reach out to the community and how many people feel they want to be involved,” says Jan Hodges.
Draughon adds, "7,500+ wreaths that we have. This is the third year in a row that we've been able to say that we will have 100% coverage here at the cemetery.”
Wreaths Across America day happens every December across the U.S. The mission is to "remember, honor and teach". At the cemetery in Fernley they expect to see 2,000 people for tomorrow morning's ceremony despite the frigid temperatures being forecast
"It's warm. You get warm inside when you see that. The whole community coming out for this,” says Hodges.
Volunteers from the Nevada Veterans Coalition have been busy preparing for the big day - unloading and moving boxes upon boxes of living wreaths. Most of these men and women are vets themselves, happy to give their time and energy for our fallen heroes.
But they really want tomorrow is you.
"We'll have coffee, tea, donuts, hot chocolate for the kids. So, show up. Give us some time and be able to say 'we showed up and said thank you to a veteran,’” says Draughon.
Suggested arrival time is 8:30 a.m., the ceremony begins promptly at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley. For more information, click on this line.
