Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery to Host Wreaths Across America Ceremony
By Michelle Talsma Everson -
Tuesday Dec 05, 2023
Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery announces its participation in the Wreaths Across America National Remembrance Day for the third consecutive year. The ceremony is scheduled to take place at 7900 E. Main Street, Mesa, AZ 85207, on December 16th, 2023, honoring and remembering the 2,015 veterans laid to rest at Mountain View Cemetery in the East Valley.
"This ceremony is a heartfelt way for our community to come together and honor the service and sacrifices made by our veterans," says Elisa Krcilek, Vice President of Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery. "It is a privilege to host this event for the third year, and we invite everyone to join us in this meaningful tribute."
The ceremony will commence at 9:30 a.m. with special presentations by the AJHS JROTC, a prayer by Rev Phil Erickson from VFW Post 7968, the National Anthem performed by Debbie Kent, and musical tributes by the Mesa Fire and Medical Dept Pipes and Drums, alongside student trumpeters Ailish Murphy and Rodrigo Moreno from AJ High School Marching Band. The keynote speaker, Command Sergeant Major Rick Kreiberg (ret), founder of the Veterans Affinity, will share insights.
The synchronized wreath-laying ceremony will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m., aligning with the nationwide initiative across 3,800 participating cemeteries, paying tribute to veterans simultaneously.
"As a community, we have the opportunity to remember and honor those who have served our nation," says Greg Coury, Owner of Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery. "Wreaths Across America is a powerful way to pay tribute to our veterans and ensure that their sacrifices are not forgotten."
Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery extends gratitude to its major sponsors: American First, Crescent Crown, Guild Mortgage, Pima/Maricopa Indian Community, Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 2560, VFW Post 9399 Auxiliary, Hensley Beverage Co., and Texas RoadHouse.
To sponsor a wreath for a veteran's grave, individuals can visit http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/az0190p or mail a check to Wreaths Across America, c/o Nancy Fassbender, 4657 S. Desert Dawn, Gold Canyon, AZ 85118. Each wreath sponsorship is $17, with the goal of covering nearly 2,015 veteran graves in Mountain View Cemetery. Currently, 150 wreaths still need sponsorship.
For those interested in volunteering or sponsoring wreaths, please contact Nancy Fassbender at 520-280-4715 or email nfass@hotmail.com.