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Arlington, VA – The Memorial Day Flowers Foundation, a national florist organization that has been placing flowers at Arlington National Cemetery gravesites on Memorial Day for over a decade, is urgently requesting support as this year’s donations have fallen drastically short of their target.
In a recent statement, the foundation revealed that flower donations have “dried up.” With the current figures, only 80,000 flowers will be available to place at gravesites, far below the 310,000 target. Foundation Executive Director Ramiro Penaherrera expressed his concern in the statement, stating, “Our goal is to honor every fallen service member and veteran headstone with a flower.”
To reach the target, the foundation needs to raise $150,000 before May 24 to purchase an additional 230,000 flowers. According to the statement, flowers can be bought at wholesale prices and delivered in time for the holiday.
Donate to Support the Memorial Day Flowers Foundation
The tradition of placing flowers at fallen troops’ graves on Memorial Day, originally known as “Decoration Day,” began on May 30, 1868, following the nation’s bloodiest war. The Memorial Day Flowers Foundation joined the effort in 2011, consistently placing flowers at the gravesites of fallen service members ever since.
Starting with 10,000 roses at Arlington National Cemetery, the organization expanded to cemeteries nationwide, thanks to the support of donors, businesses, and volunteers.
Those interested in volunteering, in addition to or instead of donating flowers, can visit Arlington National Cemetery on May 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Flowers will be placed first at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier before being distributed throughout the cemetery grounds.
Source: Military Times
