TULSA, Okla. — Groups are working hard to make sure that veterans resting at the Fort Gibson National Cemetery and Fort Sill National Cemetery have wreaths. “The time to do it is now,” said David Bolser with Oklahoma Honor.

This website allows people to donate $15 to make sure veterans have wreaths. “We want to make sure we do not leave a gravestone behind,”

Bolser said. “”The biggest issue is will it happen, absolutely it will happen if the message gets out.” Unfortunately most headstones at Fort Gibson were left bare. “Last year with [COVID-19] and a couple organizations were not able to basically make it and get the donations and volunteers,” said David Van Meter, Director of Fort Gibson National Cemetery.

Van Meter told FOX23 several veterans’ groups are working to make sure all these headstones are decorated with wreaths by Christmas.

“This year we have two organizations Wreaths Across America and Wreaths for Fallen Heroes working in tandem, so every gravesite has a wreath,” Van Meter said.

Bolser explained there are few things as important during the holidays than making this happen.

“We will never forget you. Especially over these Christmas holidays and the giving period, Thanksgiving and Christmas,” Bolser said. There are 25,000 headstones at Fort Gibson.

Van Meter said last year they were only able to decorate about 2,000 of them. He explained he is confident they will have enough, maybe more than enough. He says volunteers are always appreciated as well to help decorate.

“No later than December 18th that is one of the dates that the ceremony and wreath laying will happen but by December 18th will have a wreath on it,” he said. Click here to donate to groups like Oklahoma Honor.

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