PASCO, Wash.–Hundreds of wreaths were placed on veterans’ graves at the City View in Pasco on Saturday as a way to honor and remember them during the holiday season.
City View’s remembrance was one of many involved with Wreaths Across America, and Dan Dotta, City of Pasco facilities manager, said so many community members purchased wreaths that each veteran laid to rest at the cemetery now has one placed on their grave.
Each grave received a penny as well, symbolizing the community recognizes them as veterans, and acknowledging that they are not forgotten, Dotta said.
“We have veterans out here from the Spanish-American War. Their families, a lot of them aren’t here anymore, and (we’re here) to be able to show that the community still appreciates the service that they did and the sacrifice, we’re here to make sure that we don’t forget them,” he said. “Wreaths Across America is a tribute to show that the veterans are not forgotten.”
Dotta said he was impressed by the involvement from the community and sponsors who showed up for Wreaths Across America, one of them being the Kiwanis Club of Pasco.
Kiwanis Club Board Member Pat Jones said it is important to recognize veterans and celebrate their service, not just on Veteran’s Day, but every day, especially during the holiday season.
“The Wreaths Across America program does that. Not just locally, but all the Wreaths across America, “ Jones said. “It’s a wonderful program to bring out people, old and young, to celebrate, to place a wreath, not only at someone we know, but someone we don’t know (and) speak their name and remember them, and thank them for what they did, especially at the holidays.”
As a sponsor, Kiwanis Club purchased multiple wreaths as a group, he said. But, members individually purchased their own as well, and Jones placed wreaths on two graves.
“I just wanted to participate and be part of the community,” he said. “By doing that and placing the wreaths, it was a very special feeling, and made me feel proud to be from Pasco.”
Dotta placed a wreath on Saturday as well, and while he does not personally know the veteran he recognized, it was still a humbling experience for him.
“It just tells them, ‘hey, you’re not forgotten, and I don’t know you, but I want to tell you thank you,’” Dotta said. “When you tell somebody thank you, it’s moving.”
More information on how to honor local veterans can be found on the City View Cemetery website.
