Locals gather to honor fallen soldiers

Observed annually on the 3rd Saturday in December, National Wreaths Across America Day is a movement to cover Veteran’s grave markers with a Christmas wreath.

Today at the Desert Lawn Memorial Park, The Wreaths Across America foundation gathered along with community members to pay their respects to fallen soldiers.

A ceremony was led by several groups including the American Legion, and the Color Guard Post 56.

Following the ceremony was the laying of wreaths on the graves of veterans.

Apryl Brand, chairman of Wreaths Across America said this event honors not only veterans but also current military.

“We are honoring our veterans and all of our current military, we are doing both of those things today because we appreciate all they have done for our freedom and our liberty here in the United States,” Brand said.

The Wreaths Across America foundation’s mission to Remember, Honor and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 1,400 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad.

Brand said that current veterans, their family, active marines, boy scouts and girl scouts all came to support the day.

The wreaths were purchased thanks to the donations from the Yuma community.

Brand said this year, the foundation was able to collect double the amount of wreaths to put out at the cemetery.

Last year, they put out 594, and this year they raised enough money to distribute 1,100 wreaths.