Only days remain to ensure every veteran at Zachary Taylor Cemetery gets a wreath

Time is running out to honor veterans at Zachary Taylor Cemetery.

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The push is on to place wreaths on every veteran's grave at Zachary Taylor National Cemetery this December, and organizers say they're close- but not quite there yet.

With just one week left before the deadline, about 2,500 more wreaths are needed to reach the goal of honoring all 11,400 veterans buried at the Louisville cemetery. So far, roughly 8,900 wreaths have been sponsored, which is encouraging, but the clock is ticking.

"All of the wreaths placed on the graves at Zachary Taylor come from donations," said Susan Kalmey, co-location coordinator for the Corn Island Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. "We rely on private and corporate donations to make this happen. We were fortunate last year to reach our goal. Now, we need everyone's involvement this year to make it happen again."

The deadline to sponsor a wreath is December 1st- that's next Monday. After that, there won't be enough time to get the wreaths made, shipped, and in place for the ceremony on December 14, according to Brownsboro Hardware.

Doug Carroll, owner of Brownsboro Hardware & Paint, which is helping collect sponsorships, issued a challenge to the community: "With community support, we can still reach that lofty goal of 11,400 wreaths. I challenge every business, every club and organization, and every church to adopt this campaign as a mission."

If you'd like to sponsor a wreath, it costs $17. You can do so online at LouKYWreaths.org or stop by either Brownsboro Hardware & Paint location in person.

The live Maine Balsam wreaths will be placed during a public ceremony at Zachary Taylor on Saturday, December 13th at noon. Everyone's invited to attend and help lay the wreaths.

This effort is part of Wreaths Across America, a national organization that started in 2007 with a simple but powerful mission: Remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and teach the next generation about the value of freedom. Last year, the organization placed more than three million wreaths at over 5,200 locations nationwide.

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