Time is running out to support an effort to honor veterans this holiday season.

“We are falling short at this point of meeting our goal of placing a wreath on the graves of the nearly 4,000 veterans buried at the Clovis Cemetery,” said organizer Linda Branam in a Facebook message this week.

Branam is the local coordinator for Wreaths Across America. The non-profit raises funds to honor and remember veterans with annual wreath-laying ceremonies each December.

December 3 Funding Deadline

“All of our money has to be to the (national) organization by December 3rd” to ensure delivery of the wreaths, Branam said. “They’re live, balsam wreaths — the same ones they place at Arlington. We need donations of any amount to cover the cost of the wreaths.”

Each wreath costs $15, though Branam said contributions of any amount are accepted. Donations can be made locally or through the national organization. Details are available on the local chapter’s Facebook page.

Public Invited to Participate

On Saturday, Dec. 15, the public is invited to Clovis Cemetery to assist with laying wreaths on the headstones of veterans. The event will begin with a program of music and military tributes at 8:30 a.m.

Branam says volunteers are also needed to prepare for the event. “We invite anyone to come out and help the day before to mark the graves and also to unload the wreaths.”

“There is quite a bit of community involvement,” Branam said, “but we’d like to see more.”