Volunteers pay tribute to local veterans for National Wreaths Across America Day

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – In Palm Springs and Cathedral City locals gathered to lay 1,315 wreaths on the headstones of veterans for National Wreaths Across America Day.

Welwood Murray Cemetery and Desert Memorial Park are official Wreaths Across America locations, each hosting a wreath-laying ceremony Saturday afternoon, joining more than 4,900 other locations across the nation.

The ceremony at Welwood Murray Cemetery in Palm Springs was hosted by Daughters of the American Revolution Cahuilla Chapter Regent Noma Bruton. The Palm Springs cemetery is home to 139 veterans, each one receiving a wreath.

Bruton said they originally only had enough sponsors to lay 89 wreaths in the cemetery, but the City of Palm Springs sponsored the remaining 50 to ensure all veterans were honored.

As each volunteer approached a headstone, they said the name of the veteran out loud and thanked them for their service.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from volunteers and organizers about the importance of the wreath laying ceremony.