2021 Wreaths Across America Ceremony at Ft Lyon National Cemetery

Description: Wreaths Across America Volunteers Jayla Morlan, Haley Morlan, Makayla Marfil, Crazy Grandma Linda Morlan, and Mya Marfil.

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA WRAP-UP

By Kathleen Tomlin

December 19, 2021

Godfrey Truckdriver Paul Hall, and Kathleen Tomlin, VFW Auxiliary #2411 President.

Las Animas VFW Auxiliary #2411 is wrapping up their annual Wreath’s Across America project and would like to thank all those that helped us with this project.  The National Theme this year was, “Live Up To Their Legacy!”

A special thanks to Darla Youngblood, Fort Lyon Coordinator, who arranged the Wreaths Across America Dedication Ceremony at Fort Lyon National Cemetery on December 18th and to all the volunteers who helped her. 

The VFW Post #2411 of Las Animas presented the colors.  Darla welcomed everyone and thanked the VFW Auxiliary #2411 for all the hard work they do to help veterans. 

She instructed designated volunteers to place the evergreen wreaths, trimmed with simple red bows, in memory of those who served and are serving. 

U. S. Army was placed by Donna Dodson, daughter of WWII veteran, Loyde Gardner. 

U. S. Marine Corp was placed by Alisha Hall, mother of active-duty Marine, Troy Fritz. 

U. S. Navy was placed by Karen Prather, wife of Navy veteran Ralph Prather. 

Cheri Montoya laying a wreath for the Air Force.

U. S. Air Force was placed by Cheri Montoya, niece of George Marquez, Air Force veteran. 

Coast Guard was placed by Rick Ward, Coast Guard Veteran and Bent County Service Officer. 

Merchant Marines was placed by Barbara Martin, daughter of WWII veteran, Mahlon Smith and grandmother of active-duty Marine, Troy Fritz. 

POW/MIA was placed by Bert Huff, Army Veteran, in honor of the 82,000 either prisoner of war or missing in action veterans. 

Space Force (branch of Air Force since 2019) was placed by Jim Dowd, Air Force Veteran. 

After the ceremonial wreaths were laid, the American Legion Post #6 of Las Animas and Ordway honor guard delivered the three-volley salute. 

The dedication concluded with TAPS performed by the VFW Post #2411. 

Community volunteers from all ages came out and placed wreaths on all graves at Fort Lyon and flag marked graves at Las Animas Cemetery. 

Because of a shipping error, we were blessed with 2,400 wreaths that were placed on veteran graves at Fort Lyon; 288 at Las Animas/Bent County; and 4 at Peaceful Valley (Smith Ranch) Cemeteries, for a total of 2706 wreaths.

Appreciation is expressed to the drivers of the semi-trucks that delivered the wreaths to Fort Lyon, Las Animas, and Peaceful Valley.  The trucks are beautiful and many of the drivers are volunteers. The Auxiliary receives $5.00 for each wreath sold, and then in turn uses this to help veteran projects in our area. 

The wreaths looked awesome!  If you have any questions, contact Kathleen Tomlin, President, VFWA at 719-456-2948. 

A special thanks goes out to all the volunteers that make this event possible and for those cemetery employees that help us!  God bless our Veterans and Remember – Honor – Teach.

Wreaths Across America is currently having a great sale – buy one, get one free, to help support your local sponsorship group, which is the VFW Auxiliary #2411. 

Wreaths may be ordered online at wreathsacrossamerica.org with our group number CO0002P.  Online wreath orders may not designate a veteran’s grave, but VFWA can do so.  Sale ends January 14th.  Forms are available from VFW Members and Kuhns Chiropractic. 

Share

Tweet

Follow SECO News on Facebook.
Subscribe to the SECO News YouTube Channel.

Click to Zoom

Press releases Sponsor