MURRELLS INLET, S.C. (WPDE) - This Christmas many families will celebrate without their loved ones who are in the military, serving our country around the world.
The Blue Star Mothers, a group of mothers in South Carolina whose children are in the armed forces are raising money for others who are without their loved ones too. It's for the Wreaths Across America.
The purpose of the ceremony, which is also a national event, is to remember veterans by placing wreaths by their headstones. Florence National Cemetary has 11,000 graves. Blue Star Mother President Carol Dion said that's up more than a thousand from last year.
"Last year we had 1,630 wreaths for 9,900 graves. So you have to go out there with an arm full of wreaths and decide who gets one and who doesn't. And it's very emotional," Dion said.
The annual Wreaths Across America ceremony attracts hundreds to the Florence National Cemetery. This year's event is December 15.
To sponsor a wreath for this year's ceremony, click on this link.
Each wreath costs $15, but Dion said if someone buys two through them, they'll get a third one for free.
"These are our veterans. They have sacrificed so that we have the freedoms that we have. We have the freedom to go black Friday shopping, we have the freedom to buy our grandchildren anything and everything that we possibly can. So for 15 dollars you can give them a little holiday spirit," she said.
