WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA
Tucson Kino Rotarians were represented at Holy Hope Cemetery in Tucson where almost 900 wreaths were placed on veteran's graves. Kino has been involved in this worthy project for many years.
At the ceremony this year were John Palacio, Raul and Chris Bejarano and David and Joan Fawcett.
Maria Marin
The organizer and emcee, Maria Marin, welcomes the volunteers. She and her husband lost their son Martin who was killed twelve years ago in the Middle East.
A Wreath for each branch of the service, and for KIA's and MIA's and the new Space Force
At the beginning of the ceremony, a TUSD Jr. ROTC unit presented the colors, a TUSD Choir sang the national Anthem and America the Beautiful. A violinist played Amazing Grace.
To get started on the wreath laying Maria asked a few of us to place service wreaths on graves one at a time. I was very honored when she asked me to place the Army wreath on her son, Martin Lugo's, grave.
Laying the wreath on the grave of
Sgt. Martin Lugo and saying his name out loud.
John Palacio prepares to place a wreath
Some of the hundreds of volunteers at
Holy Hope Cemetery
In all, 2.7 million wreaths were laid at 3,702 cemeteries. At Arlington National Cemetery alone, 257,000 wreaths were laid by 28,000 volunteers!