Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Joey Strickland, COL (USA Retired) is encouraging all Louisianans to give in July to remember veterans through the Wreaths Across America program at LDVA’s five state-run veterans cemeteries. Louisianans can purchase a wreath now to be placed on a Louisiana veteran’s grave on Dec. 17 instead of waiting until the holidays to make the purchase.

“There are thousands of veterans whose final resting place is one of our five veterans cemeteries,” said Secretary Strickland. “While some veterans have family and friends who routinely purchase a wreath and place it on their veteran’s grave each December, many have no one. This year’s theme is Find a Way to Serve, and I’m asking my fellow Louisianans to stand in the gap to remember veterans this year by purchasing one or more wreaths in honor of those who served our country.”

Wreaths cost $15 each, and for every two wreath sponsorships sold, a third wreath will be provided to the cemetery of your choice as part of a special sponsorship group program option available through the national program.

Wreaths Across America ceremonies are held annually in December across the nation at more than 3,100 participating locations to remember, honor and teach. The organization’s goal is to place a live balsam fir wreath at the headstone of every interred service member to ensure no one will be forgotten.

For more information about purchasing wreaths, Wreaths Across America or LDVA, visit vetaffairs.la.gov, email veteran@la.gov, call 225.219.5000 or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.