SUFFOLK, Va. — It's a holiday tradition built into the fabric of Suffolk.
Each year since 2008, thousands of wreaths are laid at graves at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery. As more veterans are buried there, the number of wreaths grows — topping 15,000 earlier this month.
As News 3 has reported, it takes an entire year for nonprofit the Horton Wreath Society to fundraise for the effort and sometimes, the money is raised with just days to spare.
Society volunteers like Karen Rannings have to work overtime to make sure no veteran is left without a wreath.
"Year-round, it's fundraising, trying to get people to join us. I do car shows to raise funds," Rannings told News 3 days before this year's wreath-laying ceremony.
We met her at the Suffolk National Guard Armory, where volunteers pull wreaths from delivery trucks, process and fluff them ahead of taking them to the cemetery.
"I'm from a veteran family. My husband was Navy, my daddy was Air Force. I have uncles that were in the military so just honoring the military with their veterans wreath is very important," said Rannings.
Little did she know that the Horton Wreath Society president Kelly Armon had nominated her for a News 3 Everyday Hero award.
"Karen is a huge member of our Horton Wreath Society. Not only does she do things for us, but she's also a huge part of the community. She works for Toys for Toys, she does the car shows, like she said, she also helps the homeless veterans," said Armon. "I would be so honored if she was recognized as an Everyday Hero."
That's when we gave a surprised Rannings the award and a $300 Visa gift card, courtesy of our partners at Southern Bank.
"I'm shocked," said Rannings.
But her husband, Bill, was not.
"She's working at it all the time. Meetings and car shows, trying to promote the whole event and so forth so she does a really good job," he told News 3.
Congratulations Karen on your Everyday Hero award!
