Two local watering holes have shown their support for Wreaths Across America.
Both the Leif Bar (6725 Fifth Avenue) and Bean Post Pub (7525 Fifth Avenue) have played host to fundraisers for Bay Ridge-based organization Viking Love NYC, as part of the group’s campaign to raise money for Wreaths Across America, a nationwide initiative dedicated to funding wreaths for the graves of fallen veterans.
Viking Love NYC is hoping to raise enough money to lay wreaths at the stones of the over 18,500 soldiers, and 24 Medal of Honor recipients buried at Brooklyn’s Cypress Hills National Cemetery.
According to Viking Love Vice President Jason McDermott, members were inspired by Jose Martinez, Wreaths across America coordinator at Cypress Hills, who warned the group in 2013 that the Brooklyn site wasn’t seeing nearly as much support as big-name sites like Arlington National Cemetery in D.C.
The group hosted its first ever Rockin’ For Wreaths benefit concert at the Leif Bar on Friday, October 23 (featuring live music by local band Sha-Doobie), followed up by a fundraiser at Bean Post Pub on Saturday, November 14 (featuring raffle prizes like a 50-inch television, tickets to see “Elf” in its final performance at Madison Square Garden, and more).
For more information on Wreaths across America or Viking Love NYC, visit vikinglovenyc.org, or wreathsacrossamerica.org.
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