2021 WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA

THIS YEAR, OVER 23,000 VETERANS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS ARE INTERRED AT SARASOTA NATIONAL CEMETERY.  WITH YOUR DONATIONS AND SPONSORSHIPS, WE WILL LAY 16,200 VETERANS WREATHS AT THEIR FINAL RESTING PLACES OVER A 3 DAY SPAN IN DECEMBER.  SPONSORSHIPS AND DONATIONS IN ANY DOLLAR AMOUNT ARE ACCEPTED. FOR EVERY TWO WREATHS YOU SPONSOR, A THIRD WREATH IS ADDED TO OUR ORDER BY WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA.

IMPORTANT:  DO  NOT ATTEMPT TO REGISTER UNTIL AFTER FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2021

For the 2021 Wreaths Across America Mission at Sarasota National Cemetery, the following modifications have been made to maintain a safe and successful Mission. 

The Wreaths Across America 2021 Mission at Sarasota National Cemetery will span a 2 day period beginning December 17th and ending at 4:45pm on December 18th. 

1. Do NOT call Sarasota National Cemetery for information. Please call the Wreaths Across America Chairman at 941-448-6299. 

2. There will NOT be a Public Ceremony. There will be a Virtual Ceremony available and posted on December 18th on Social media sites, YouTube and various other media outlets. 

3. Everyone must register. No Registration, no Admittance, no Exceptions. 

4. Everyone registering must be willing to comply with COVID-19 Restrictions and National Cemetery Administration’s Directives during the 2 Day Mission - masks must be worn if you have not been vaccinated for Covid-19. 

5. Buses and larger passenger vehicles containing more than 6 people are not permitted on the cemetery grounds on Friday, December 17th. 

7. Everyone participating must cooperate with the above and with maintaining the number of people on Sarasota National Cemetery’s Federal grounds at any given time by complying with all instructions given at Registration, at Check in and during their time frame on the grounds and follow Mission Volunteers Instructions. 

  We will continue to honor “Family First” and have allotted time frames for Family Members Only to lay their loved ones Veterans Wreaths. 

Friday, December 17th – NO BUSSES! Passenger Vehicles Only 

Family First Registration Times - 8am to 8:45am, 9am to 9:45am, 10am to 10:45, 11am to 11:45am.  IMPORTANT: To ensure Family members have the opportunity to lay their loved one’s wreath, Family should email Meshia Richardson, Chairman at sarasotawreaths@gmail.com with their loved one’s name, Branch of Service and section number if known so that the location will be reserved for Family Only.

General Public Registration Times - 12pm to 12:45pm, 1pm to 1:45pm, 2pm to 2:45pm, 3pm to 3:45pm 

Wreaths will be distributed to each vehicle at registration check in. Do not exceed more than six people per vehicle and per registration. Drivers will then be directed to drive to a pre-designated Section where they will lay their wreaths, and instructed to “Say their Name and thank them for their Service and their Sacrifice”.

Saturday, December 18th - 

Family First Registration Times - 9am to 9:45am, 10am to 10:45, 11am to 11:45am.   IMPORTANT: To ensure Family members have the opportunity to lay their loved one’s wreath, Family should email Meshia Richardson, Chairman at sarasotawreaths@gmail.com with their loved one’s name, Branch of Service and section number if known so that the location will be reserved for Family Only.

General Public Registration Times - 12pm to 12:45pm, 1pm to 1:45pm, 2pm to 2:45pm, 3pm to 3:45pm 

For questions, contact Location Coordinator and Chairman Meshia Richardson at sarasotawreaths@gmail.com or at 941-448-6299.

ANYONE WISHING TO PARTICIPATE IN WREATH LAYING MUST REGISTER TO VOLUNTEER, NO EXCEPTIONS. SEE VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION.

MASKS ARE REQUIRED IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD COVID-19 VACCINATION.