10,000 Wreaths For Sarasota National Cemetery

10,000 holiday wreaths to be placed on graves at Sarasota National Cemetery
Bradenton Herald
BY JAMES A. JONES JR.
November 21, 2014

Wreaths Across America holiday wreath-laying ceremonies have been held at Sarasota National Cemetery since its opening in 2009. Next month, Sarasota Military Academy students and local veterans will place the wreaths on Dec. 13, starting at 9:30 a.m., followed by a ceremony at 11:30 a.m. FILE PHOTO

BRADENTON -- Last year, 6,300 holiday wreaths were placed on grave sites at Sarasota National Cemetery.

This year, 10,000 will be needed to decorate each of the final resting places for veterans there.

Don Courtney, president of the Manatee Veterans Council, updated the group at the monthly meeting Thursday.

Sarasota National Cemetery opened in January 2009 and averages about 10 funeral services a day. Among the

Notable veterans at rest there is Tampa's Rick Casares, who served in the Army. Mr. Casares died last year. He was a star fullback at the University of Florida and played 12 years in the NFL with the Chicago Bears, Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins.

Sarasota Military Academy students and local veterans will place the wreaths starting at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 13, followed by a ceremony at 11:30 a.m.
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