‘It takes a piece of you’: Service at Jacksonville National Cemetery honors true meaning of Memorial Day
An emotional service Saturday featured music and 22,000 flags that had been placed at 22,000 gravesites to honor the 22,000 heroes who served the nation and are now buried at Jacksonville National Cemetery.
Wreaths Across America 5K wreaths away from its goal
For Wreaths Across America at Jacksonville National Cemetery, that means time is quickly running out for the nonprofit to reach its goal of laying 13,500 wreaths at the headstones of fallen veterans. The laying of the wreaths at the Jacksonville National Cemetery is one of the most touching events of the year. “Every American knows a veteran in some way, shape or form,” Featheringill said. You can do it from the comfort of your own home.”Giving a little to honor those who gave so much. To learn more about upcoming Wreaths Across America at Jacksonville National Cemetery fundraising events, they are posted on the chapter’s Facebook page.
Wreaths Across America brings outreach to Jacksonville this weekend
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Every year, thousands head out to the Jacksonville National Cemetery and lay wreaths at the headstones of fallen heroes. Kellina Featheringill, location coordinator for Wreaths Across America at Jacksonville National Cemetery, loves sharing the organizations mission with the public. Inside Wreaths Across America's mobile exhibit. (Wreaths Across America)This comes at a time when Wreaths Across America at Jacksonville National Cemetery is in need of help. People can donate online to help Wreaths Across America at Jacksonville National Cemetery meet its financial goals for the year.
Families of fallen place American flags on 300 veterans’ graves
Among the places people paid their respects locally was the Jacksonville National Cemetery. “It’s in everybody’s heart, it’s no different, you just do it a different way,” explained Michael Smith, a member of the support committee at Jacksonville National Cemetery. It still has the same meaning, it’s just done a different way," said Smith, who was honoring Staff Sgt. At just 29-years-old, Dahlke is the first KIA to be buried when Jacksonville National Cemetery opened that same year. “There’s things in life that change your life, and this man right here, what he did for our nation, changed my life,” Smith said.
Memorial Day observance at National Cemetery scaled down due to virus
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The city of Jacksonville is holding a virtual Memorial Day observance this year because of the coronavirus. The annual memorial day observance will also be held at the National Cemetery, but it too will be different because of COVID-19. At the Jacksonville National Cemetery, remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice carries on. He says due to virus precautions, the Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony will be, at most, 10 minutes long. The pilots will then fly across the Jacksonville National Cemetery, before heading to the memorial wall in downtown Jacksonville.
Wreaths Across America Jacksonville needs your help to meet goal
This year, volunteers with "Wreaths Across America," hope to lay holiday wreaths at 12,000 gravestones at Jacksonville National Cemetery, but they need your help to meet that goal. The goal is to have the wreaths ready by Dec. 14. The Jacksonville National Cemetery is arguably one of the most peaceful places in the city. Willen is retired a retired Navy commander, and will soon take over responsibilities with Wreaths Across America Jacksonville. Michael Smith is the location coordinator for Wreaths Across America Jacksonville.
Public invited to attend Jacksonville funeral for veteran without family
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Baker County Board of County Commissioners has invited the public to attend the funeral of an Army veteran with no next of kin, emergency contacts or living relatives. He was cremated through the Baker County Indigent Cremation Program, which provides services of those who can't afford them. Working with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Jacksonville National Cemetery, county staff and others are making sure that Allevato will finally receive the resting place he deserves. You can give thanks to this veteran by attending his funeral on Thursday, Nov. 7 at 10 a.m. at the Jacksonville National Cemetery. The Baker County Veterans Council will provide services.