Headlines
Getting a Jump Start on Wreaths Across America Event
By Collin Rivera
Hottytoddy.com intern
The Garden of Memories Oxford has been selected to participate in the Wreaths Across America’s nationwide wreath dedication ceremony, which is centered on extending respect and care for all the veterans that have been laid to rest.
The event is taking place on Dec. 14, but that isn’t stopping director of cemetery services at the Garden of Memories Oxford, Matthew Malone, from preparing for the event now.
“Even though it’s July it’s important to start piecing together everything we need to make this a really special event,” Malone said. “We will be serving respect to each branch and will also be honoring each individual veteran with wreaths as well.”
More than 1,500 other memorial sites across the country will start the event at 12 p.m. and will hold a two-hour ceremony. Troops from the local service unit of Girl Scouts Heart of the South and the Yocona Area Council of Boy Scouts of America will also be performing a flag retiring ceremony at the end of the event.
“I would love for any current veterans that are here in Lafayette County to contact me if they’re interested in coming to this event because it’s about honoring every veteran and it would mean a lot to all of us if we could respect every veteran,” Malone said.
For those looking to get involved with helping Malone and others for the Wreaths Across America event, or if community members want to get involved by sponsoring wreaths to be laid during the ceremony or participating in the wreath-laying ceremony visit https://www.cemeteriesofnorthms.org/wreaths-of-america to learn more.