Dear Editor,

The Board of Trustees of the Oakdale Citizens Cemetery thanks you for this opportunity to thank the community for helping us mark the graves of veterans buried at OCC in advance of Veterans Day, November 11, 2023.

Anna Wooten of Cub Pack #365 coordinated with BSA Scout Troop #43, and Veterans in Action to gather an enthusiastic group of young people displaying their flag waving patriotism, honoring our vets. They were joined by parents and other community members who volunteered to help place many hundreds of American flags at the graves this past Saturday, November 4, 2023. Our appreciation to all who turned out.

The flags will remain in place at the vet’s graves until Saturday, December 16, 2023 which will be Wreaths Across America Day, celebrated at thousands of cemeteries across the nation.

On that day, always the third Saturday in December, millions of veteran’s graves will be marked and remembered by the placement of a live Balsam wreath, tied with a red ribbon.

Our ceremony on December 16 will begin at 9 a.m. and will be presented by local veterans, Cubs, Scouts, Pacific Project Heroes, other Veteran’s groups and community volunteers.

You and your families are all needed to help us place around 900 wreaths on the OCC grounds.

We also need sponsorships for the wreaths which are $17 each. If you would like to help us cover all the graves, please send your donation check to Wreaths Across America, c/o Oakdale Citizens Cemetery, P O Box 600, Oakdale, CA 95361. Any donation welcome, but multiples of $17 are helpful. Please include your name, address, and phone number.

Pacific Project Heroes, Inc. has pledged $5000 in matching funds for the program. Help us reach that goal so we can access their generous offer. Watch also for information about the Cowboy Crawl on Thanksgiving Weekend, which will benefit the Wreaths project.

We also recognize the generosity of Oakdale Lions Club and its members for their faithful support of Wreaths Across America, and Oakdale Citizens Cemetery.

Join us on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at Oakdale Citizens Cemetery, corner of Fifth Avenue and J Street. The ceremony starts promptly at 9 a.m. This is a free event, powered by patriotic Americans. Please be among them!

Sincerely,

The Board of Trustees

Oakdale Citizens Cemetery