Supporting the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance

Los Alamos National Laboratory is supporting the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance by launching a Wreaths Across America drive with the aim of sponsoring as many wreaths as possible by September 11.

We’re proud to have introduced the Wreaths Across America program to Los Alamos National Laboratory in 2011 as a way to honor our veterans and military spouses. It is great to be able to support the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance by launching this year’s appeal now.

The wreaths will be placed on veterans’ grave markers at the Santa Fe National Cemetery on National Wreaths Across America Day (December 16) and our friends and colleagues in the wider Northern New Mexico community are invited to take part.

The Wreaths Across America initiative coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies on a specified Saturday every year at Arlington National Cemetery and other cemeteries and locations in all 50 states.

Given the national mission the Laboratory serves, and the number of veterans employed here, there’s a natural fit between the Lab community and this initiative, especially since we are so located so close to a national cemetery. In addition to sponsoring a wreath, volunteers are needed to place the wreaths on the grave markers.

A primary goal of Wreaths Across America is to teach the next generation about what it means to serve your country, and it has been an emotional and rewarding experience to attend previous ceremonies with my grandchildren.

We’re grateful for the support of our regional partners in the program: Los Alamos National Security, LLC, Los Alamos National Bank, Centerra, IGUA Local 69, and Berardinelli Funeral Home who are between them donating $6,000 to kick-start the appeal.

As Liddie Martinez of Los Alamos National Bank says, “We all owe our veterans a great debt, so we’re proud we can work together to honor veterans in this powerful way.”

—Mike Lansing

Associate Director for Mission Assurance, Security and Emergency Response at Los Alamos National Laboratory

To support the campaign, send a check (made out to WAA) to the Community Partnerships Office, 1619 Central Avenue, Los Alamos, NM 87544. Each wreath of remembrance costs $15.

For more information about the campaign and how you can get involved, contact: Carole Rutten at 505-664-0275.