More than 10,000 veterans have been laid to rest at the Fort Sill National Cemetery in Elgin where volunteers with Wreaths Across America hope to don more Christmas wreaths than ever before.
The Comanche County chapter of Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit organization, will hold a ceremony honoring veterans at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 14 at the Fort Sill cemetery, 2648 NE Jake Dunn Road.
Wreaths are $17 and can be purchased to place on a specified veteran’s grave or can be donated to others. Deadline for orders is Monday, Nov. 18.
Volunteers will also place wreaths at Highland Cemetery, 2201 Fort Sill Blvd, in Lawton.
Mary Fountain, Comanche County coordinator, said the event fills volunteers with pride and a sense of duty.
“We often say if it weren’t for veterans, we wouldn’t be here,” Fountain said.
Spouses, children and friends of veterans often can’t be present to place the wreaths themselves and there are unclaimed veterans, those whose relatives have long since died, but still deserve a wreath to honor their service, Fountain said.
Last year they placed approximately 1,500 wreaths on headstones.
The event draws numerous volunteers, including students from area schools and children who participate in civic clubs. Despite the turnout, more volunteers are needed for the project and to unload the wreaths, which arrive about a week before the ceremony which takes about two hours, Fountain said.
The ceremony and placement of wreaths on graves is a solemn moment. Volunteers stand with the wreath and state the name of the veteran before thanking them for their service.
“We say, ‘Thank you for your service. We are placing this wreath in your honor,’” Fountain said. “We put our hand on our heart. Some of the veterans who come here do that and they give them a salute. That’s what Wreaths Across America wants us to do – we’re acknowledging that person by placing that wreath.”
To place an order for a wreath or to volunteer, contact Mary Fountain by email at mary3854@gmail.com or by phone at (256) 527-2864; also Pat Powell by email to patpowell17@yahoo.com or by phone (580) 536-5335.
Order forms are also available on Facebook, America’s Veteran Supporters, Lawton, Oklahoma.