Donations sought for veterans’ wreaths

Graves to be decorated by local women’s club

The Rio Colorado Republican Women’s Club is asking for donations for Wreaths Across America again this year, which will be used to buy wreaths to be laid across the graves of veterans at Desert Lawn Memorial Cemetery and the Sunset Vista Cemetery.

Apryl Brand, who is chairing the committee for the organization, said last year was the first year it was done in Yuma and they raised enough money to purchase 323 wreaths.

“We appreciate the freedoms that all these veterans have fought to give us,” said Brand, whose first husband was in the U.S. Army, and has three children serving in the military. “We just thought it would be a wonderful project to take on again this year.”

Brand said there is an estimated 3,000 veterans buried in Yuma County and she hopes enough money will be donated that a fewer number of veteran’s graves go uncovered this year.

“At this time its probably not going to be possible to get enough wreaths for every grave, but if we can increase it by some every year, we will be able to honor more of our veterans,” Brand said. “And it is such a beautiful sight out there with the wreaths on the ground. With the Lord’s help anything is possible.”

Each wreath costs $15. All donations are tax deductible and family members are able to donate a wreath and request that it be placed on their loved one’s grave.

A wreath-laying ceremony, including the playing of bagpipes, will take place at the city’s Desert Lawn Memorial Cemetery at 10 a.m. on Dec. 16. Brand said a similar ceremony is also being planned for Sunset Vista Cemetery at noon on the same day.

The Civil Air Patrol, Special Olympics, Vietnam veterans, the Patriot Guard Riders and many other groups will be helping to lay the wreaths. The public is invited to attend the ceremonies.

The deadline for donations is Nov. 25. Checks should be made payable to “Wreaths Across America” and mailed to 1905 S. Parkway Dr., Yuma, Ariz., 85364. Brand said while the committee prefers checks they will gladly accept a cash donation if it is given in person.

“We have received a lot of help already from the community,” Brand said. “Yuma is truly a military town and we all realize that.”

Wreaths Across America is a 501c3 organi-

zation that began in 1992 in Maine. This year it is estimated that one million wreaths will be placed around the country in 1,200 communities.

Brand explained the wreaths will be shipped by truck to each of the communities and that each of the cities will hold their ceremonies at the same time to coincide with the service to be held at Arlington National Cemetery at noon.

Other committee members working with Brand on the project include Treasurer Mariah Lemme, Connie

Uribe and Claudia Baker. For more information, Brand can be contacted at (928) 341-0994.