- April 28, 2024
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Orlando resident Dee Blankenship honors veterans. Photo by Paige Wilson
Cathy Heighten and Debbie McLean embrace in an emotional hug after laying the POW MIA wreath during the Wreaths Across America ceremony. The two are involved in the Gold Star Mothers Volusia chapter. Photo by Paige Wilson
A veteran salutes behind a tree away from the ceremony as taps is played. Photo by Paige Wilson
Veteran Reggie Lord, of Orange City, reads the name of the soldier aloud before placing a wreath. Photo by Paige Wilson
U.S. Navy veteran Bob Flinton looks down at the graves at Volusia Memorial Park. Photo by Paige Wilson
Palm Coast resident Kalila Giordano reads the tombstone before placing a wreath. Photo by Paige Wilson
Daytona Beach resident John Polomarenko salutes the veteran. Photo by Paige Wilson
Palm Coast resident William Smith walks to place a final wreath. Photo by Paige Wilson
A motorcycle displays an American flag made in the U.S. Photo by Paige Wilson
Veteran Roger Lee Tiffany, of Holly Hill, lays a wreath at a veteran's grave. Photo by Paige Wilson
While Sherman Burres isn't a veteran himself, having a father and seven uncles who are has given him a passion for honoring and supporting military members.
Burres is the vice president of Rolling Thunder Florida Chapter 8, which partnered with the Veterans Assistance Coalition and the local Vietnam Veterans chapter to hold the second-annual participation for Wreaths Across America at Volusia Memorial Park.
About 200 volunteers from all around Central Florida gathered on Saturday, Dec. 16, to honor veterans by laying 1,100 wreaths at the site's graves.
"I'm just overjoyed," Burres said. "It's a labor of love. I started doing this a couple of years ago. We used to go to DeLand and place wreaths. A couple of us talked a little over two years ago about doing it here. We started it last year, and it's really grown."
Last year, 360 wreaths were placed, Burres said. A donation from the VAC helped make the jump to over 1,000 wreaths this year.
Burres said Rolling Thunder is planning to fundraise as soon as the new year starts to increase the number of wreaths for next year.
Call Sherman Burres at 677-7398. Visit rollingthunderfl8.com or facebook.com/veteransassistancecoalition.
