Volunteers Sought For Wreaths Across America Event At Sarasota National Cemetery

SARASOTA, FL — As Wreaths Across America gears up for a two-day wreath-laying event at Sarasota National Cemetery Dec. 17-18, the organization is seeking volunteers and sponsors.

So far this season, more than 18,600 wreaths to honor the veterans buried at the cemetery have been sponsored in Sarasota County, which is 8.2 percent above the goal for 2021.

Those interested in sponsoring wreaths or volunteering to lay them on veterans’ gravestones that weekend learn more here.

Several modifications to the annual wreath-laying event have been made this year as a new coronavirus variant, Omicron, has started to spread across the globe.

The changes “have been made to maintain a safe and successful mission,” according to the Wreaths Across America website.

There won’t be a public ceremony this year, the organization said. Instead, it will stream on social media sites.

Anyone who wants to help lay wreaths at the cemetery, which is located at 9810 State Road 72, must register in advance or they won’t be allowed to participate.

Those who aren’t vaccinated must also wear a face mask at the cemetery. Buses and larger vehicles with more than six people also won’t be allowed on the cemetery grounds, the organization said.

Specific timeframes have been set for families of veterans only on both days. Family-only time slots are from 8 to 8:45 a.m., 9 to 9:45 a.m., 10 to 10:45 a.m. and 11 to 11:45 a.m. on Friday and 9 to 9:45 a.m., 10 to 10:45 a.m. and 11 to 11:45 a.m. on Saturday.

Families that want to lay their loved one’s wreath should email Meshia Richardson at sarasotawreaths@gmail.com with their family member’s name, branch of service and section number, if known, so that location can be reserved for them.

Time slots for the general public to volunteer are from noon to 12:45 p.m., 1 to 1:45 p.m., 2 to 2:45 p.m. and 3 to 3:45 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.