Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Joey Strickland, COL (USA Retired) is encouraging all Louisianans to give in July to remember veterans through the Wreaths Across America program at LDVA’s five state-run veterans cemeteries. Louisianans can purchase a wreath now to be placed on a Louisiana veteran’s grave on December 17 instead of waiting until the holidays to make the purchase.
“There are thousands of veterans whose final resting place is one of our five veterans cemeteries,” said Secretary Strickland. “While some veterans have family and friends who routinely purchase a wreath and place it on their veteran’s grave each December, many have no one. This year’s theme is Find a Way to Serve, and I’m asking my fellow Louisianans to stand in the gap to remember veterans this year by purchasing one or more wreaths in honor of those who served our country.”
Wreaths cost $15 each, and for every two wreath sponsorships sold, a third wreath will be provided to the cemetery as part of a special sponsorship group program option available through the national program.
Wreaths are available at Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, Northeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, or Southwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery.
A wreath can be purchased for any veteran or a specific veteran at the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs. Forms are also available to be mailed in.
The staff of the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery places wreaths on its veterans’ graves which are donated by a local business, therefore they do not have a need for wreaths to be purchased there.
Wreaths Across America ceremonies are held annually in December across the nation at more than 3,100 participating locations to remember, honor and teach. The organization’s goal is to place a live balsam fir wreath at the headstone of every interred service member to ensure no one will be forgotten.
More information is available on the LDVA website, veteran@la.gov, or 225.219.5000.