Veterans to be honored this Saturday
Volunteers to lay decoration on graves for Wreaths Across America Day
Saturday marks Congress’ 10th year designation of National Wreaths Across America Day, and the third time Yuba-sutter has participated by way of Yuba Sutter Stand Down.
Each year since 2008, a date in December has been selected to honor deceased members of the military.
The ceremony will take place at 9 a.m., Saturday at eight cemeteries in the area.
The cemeteries are Live Oak Cemetery, Meridian Cemetery, Sutter Cemetery, Yuba City Cemetery, Sierra View Memorial Park, Wheatland and Lofton cemeteries, and the Fairview Cemetery District.
Cindy Languell of Yubasutter Veterans Stand Down said there were about 3,900 wreaths sponsored this year.
400 more were purchased after the Dec. 3 cut-off date and will be credited to next year’s ceremony.
Languell said 1,400 cemeteries across the country participate in laying the wreaths at veterans’ graves. Each cemetery has a moment of silence at 9 a.m. PST (noon EST) followed by a ceremony prior to the wreaths being placed at the gravesites.
The ceremony includes seven wreaths being placed on a stand to represent the branches of the military and any prisoners of war, with a short speech about each.
Family members present at any of the cemeteries are the first allowed to place wreaths at their loved ones gravesite.
Then the general public can help place the remaining wreaths.
Each wreath has a tag with the veteran’s name, those placing the decoration are asked to fix the ribbon and say the veteran’s name prior to placing it on the grave.
Veteran and event volunteer Tom Walther said at Sutter Cemetery, Assemblyman James Gallagher and Col. Andy Clark, the Beale Air Force Base 9th Reconnaissance Squadron commander will be speakers during the ceremony.
Supervisors Jim Whiteaker, Larry Munger and Dan Flores, along with Yuba City council members Marc Boomgaarden and Grace Espindola will also be present during the ceremony, which will last about 30 minutes before people disperse to lay the wreaths on veterans’ graves.
Walther and the Early Risers Kiwanis Club are the main hosts for Sutter Cemetery.
Yuba City Rotary Club’s Laura Nicholson is hosting Yuba City Cemetery.
Live Oak Lions Club’s Craig Berry and Live Oak former mayor Jason Banks are hosting Live Oak Cemetery.
Meridian Lions Club’s David Giampaooi is hosting Meridian Cemetery. Languell said this is the first year an organization has stepped up to run the ceremony at the cemetery.
The Sierra View Memorial Park hosts are American Legion Post 807’s Cindy Verrill, Shane Griego and Civil Air Patrol’s Cindi Sheldon.
Wheatland Cemetery is being hosted by the Wheatland Cemetery District, the Wheatland Lion’s Club, Wheatland Post of American Legion and Wheatland 4-H Club.
Fairview Cemetery hosts their own ceremony, which is led by cemetery manager Bethany Vontalge and Dee Adams of Well Armed Women of Yuba Sutter.
Languell said additional people have stepped up to help with the ceremony.
“It’s never too early to donate for next year,” she said. “If you come out to a ceremony and enjoy it, feel free to leave a donation while you’re there.”
Next year Colusa Cemetery will participate in National Wreaths Across America Day making it a Tri-county effort.
“Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol” at 7:30 p.m. at The Acting Company, 815 B St., Yuba City.
performed by the Yuba Sutter Oratorio Society at 7 p.m. at St. Isidore Catholic Church, 222 Clark Ave., Yuba City.
will be hosting a viewing of the film “RENT” (Rated PG-13) at 6 p.m. at The Gallery at Yuba Sutter Arts, 624 E Street, Marysville. There is a suggested donation of $5.
CLUB MEETINGS
– Peachbowl Dawnbreakers meeting 6:30 a.m. at the Waffle Barn Restaurant, 590 Colusa Ave., Yuba City.
will host breakfast at Denny’s at 9 a.m. at 630 10th St., Marysville. For more information, call 6332988.
SUPPORT GROUPS
will meet at 7 p.m. at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 1390 Franklin Road, Yuba City. For more information, call 635-5034.