Wreaths Across America ceremony to be held Dec. 15
The Cape Coral Knights of Columbus will lay more than 1,200 wreaths at Coral Ridge Funeral Home & Cemetery to mark Wreaths Across America Day, Saturday, Dec. 15.
Jack Marandino, who is second in command for the Cape Coral Knights of Columbus District 55, said they have always contributed money to Sarasota for Wreaths Across America.
“It’s only the second year we are doing it here,” he said, due to the Knights of Columbus wanting to keep it local. “Wreaths Across America is a program that has been going on for years. A program that we remember, honor and teach the ultimate sacrifice veterans did for our country.”
The program fits into the Knights of Columbus’ fourth degree, patriotism.
On Dec. 15, they will start distributing wreaths at about 10:45 a.m. At 11 a.m., they will start placing wreaths at the gravesites.
They will bring one wreath to a gravesite, repeat the veterans name and say a short prayer before taking another wreath and going to the next gravesite.
“There are a little over 2,000 veterans buried underground and another 2,500 above ground,” Marandino said, adding that next year they hope to have 2,000 wreaths. “We hope to give 2,000 wreaths to cover all the veterans buried beneath ground.”
The ceremony, which will begin at approximately noon, will last for an hour.
“It’s a national program,” Marandino said. “When we have the 12 o’clock ceremony, that 12 o’clock is all over the country at various cemeteries all over. It’s quite large.”
The community is invited to get involved in the event by helping distribute wreaths at 11, and staying for the ceremony at noon.
“They should probably bring a chair to sit at the ceremony,” he said.
This year 711, out of the more than 1,200, wreaths were funded by the Knights of Columbus – St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church, St. Andrew Catholic Church and Father Christopher Gaynor Assembly.
Marandino, who became a Knight 56 years ago, has a son who is a veteran, one of the reasons the event is near and dear to his heart.
“I am so involved (because) going through life you want to give something back to the community and the Knights of Columbus is an organization that has over 2 million members throughout the world,” he said. “My two projects are patriotism and pro-life. These are the two areas I concentrate on . . . I like to do my part.”
Coral Ridge Funeral Home & Cemetery is at 1630 S.W. Pine Island Road.
Wreaths Across America ceremony to be held Dec. 15
The Cape Coral Knights of Columbus will lay more than 1,200 wreaths at Coral Ridge Funeral Home & Cemetery to mark Wreaths Across America Day, Saturday, Dec. 15.
Jack Marandino, who is second in command for the Cape Coral Knights of Columbus District 55, said they have always contributed money to Sarasota for Wreaths Across America.
“It’s only the second year we are doing it here,” he said, due to the Knights of Columbus wanting to keep it local. “Wreaths Across America is a program that has been going on for years. A program that we remember, honor and teach the ultimate sacrifice veterans did for our country.”
The program fits into the Knights of Columbus’ fourth degree, patriotism.
On Dec. 15, they will start distributing wreaths at about 10:45 a.m. At 11 a.m. they will start placing wreaths at the gravesites.
They will bring one wreath to a gravesite, repeat the veterans name and say a short prayer before taking another wreath and going to the next gravesite.
“There are a little over 2,000 veterans buried underground and another 2,500 above ground,” Marandino said, adding that next year they hope to have 2,000 wreaths. “We hope to give 2,000 wreaths to cover all the veterans buried beneath ground.”
The ceremony, which will begin at approximately noon, will last for an hour.
“It’s a national program,” Marandino said. “When we have the 12 o’clock ceremony, that 12 o’clock is all over the country at various cemeteries all over. It’s quite large.”
The community is invited to get involved in the event by helping distribute wreaths at 11, and staying for the ceremony at noon.
“They should probably bring a chair to sit at the ceremony,” he said.
This year 711, out of the more than 1,200, wreaths were funded by the Knights of Columbus – St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church, St. Andrew Catholic Church and Father Christopher Gaynor Assembly.
Marandino, who became a Knight 56 years ago, has a son who is a veteran, one of the reasons the event is near and dear to his heart.
“I am so involved (because) going through life you want to give something back to the community and the Knights of Columbus is an organization that has over 2 million members throughout the world,” he said. “My two projects are patriotism and pro-life. These are the two areas I concentrate on . . . I like to do my part.”
Coral Ridge Funeral Home & Cemetery is at 1630 SW Pine Island Road.