(L-R) Nancy Boren, Mary Carrillo, Vanessa Crews and Terry Lucido, members of the Acalanes Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), will coordinate the Wreaths Across America Ceremony at the Lafayette Cemetery on Dec. 19, honoring 290 veterans buried there.
Each year millions of Americans come together to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and their families and teach the next generation about the value of freedom. This gathering of volunteers and patriots takes place in local and national cemeteries in all 50 states – most recently at more than 2,000 participating locations – as part of National Wreaths Across America Day.
There are 290 veterans buried in the historic Lafayette Cemetery, and this is the first year the cemetery has participated in the National Wreaths Across America Day. Local members of the Acalanes Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) are raising funds to place a wreath on each veteran’s headstone. To sponsor a wreath, or to donate, please visit: http://www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org/CA0565.
Mary Carrillo, Orinda resident and regent of the Acalanes DAR Chapter explained, “We are coordinating with the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8063 (VFW) to have a color guard and bugler at the ceremony. Our members and volunteers will place a wreath on each veteran’s headstone, with each veteran’s name said out loud. Please help us place wreaths on all 290 gravesites by sponsoring a wreath at just $15 each.”
Orindan Louise Diracles added, “Remembrance wreaths are a beautiful tribute to local veterans and a wonderful way of honoring those who sacrificed so much to protect our freedom.”
Vanessa Crews, DAR member from Orinda, recalled a recent trip to the American Cemetery in Normandy, France. “I stood among thousands of crosses marking the graves of fallen patriots of World War II and felt overwhelmed with grief and gratitude for the supreme sacrifice these men and women made for the freedoms I enjoy today. It’s an honor to participate with Acalanes DAR members and Wreaths Across America to sponsor wreaths for our veterans in the Lafayette Cemetery.”
National Wreaths Across America Day is Saturday, Dec.19. The Lafayette Cemetery is located at 3285 Mt. Diablo Blvd. The free event is open to all people unless COVID-19 restrictions hold sway. The ceremony begins at noon. Please visit http://www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org/CA0565 for safety regulation updates.
For more information, contact Terry Lucido at 650.804.2564, tlachenb@aol.com, or visit Acalanes DAR at www.Acalanes.CaliforniaDar.org.
