Wreath Laying Ceremony

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Gulf Pines Memorial Park, 2401 Englewood Road

The public is cordially invited to attend the National Wreaths Across America ceremony at Gulf Pines Memorial Park, 2401 Englewood Road, on Saturday, December 16 starting at noon. Earlier that morning, volunteers will be laying holiday wreaths on the graves of veterans both at Gulf Pines and Lemon Bay Historical Cemetery, 500 S. Indiana Avenue. National Wreaths Across America Day is held at over 4,100 cemeteries across the country and abroad. A holiday wreath is placed on the gravesite of those who served in the armed forces to ensure veterans are not forgotten during the holiday season. The ceremony at Gulf Pines covers veterans buried at both cemeteries. One unique aspect of the ceremony here in Englewood is that everyone is given the opportunity to approach the podium say the name of a loved one who served and ring the VFW Memorial Bell so everyone can honor that veteran Special honorary guest will be James Kirk Joyce, Sr., a Corporal in the Korean War, who will lay the wreath for the Army. This year there will be a special memorial to Vietnam veterans. 1954 dog tags have been created for each Florida veteran who died in Vietnam and these remembrances will be hung from the tent ceiling. Those attending who have a loved one who died in Vietnam can give their name to be added to the memorial. Participants in the ceremony include the Venice Middle School Young Marines, area Girl Scouts & Boy Scouts, Lemon Bay NJROTC, American Legion Englewood Post 113, and the American Legion Venice Post 159. After the ceremony, there will be a motorcycle escort to Lemon Bay Historical Cemetery. Participating will be riders from the Patriot Riders of America, Combat Veterans, Motorcycle Assoc., Moor Riders, the Blue Knights, the Punishers LE< and D.A.W.G.S., and others. For more information, call Gulf Pines at 941•474•2413.