Dozens of local veterans and community members honored our nation’s heroes for the holidays.

  • Veterans and community honor veterans for the holidays
  • 5,000 wreaths placed at Bay Pines Cemetery
  • Goal is to lay more wreaths next year  

As part of “Wreaths Across America”, the group placed 5,000 wreaths on the gravesites of service members at Bay Pines Cemetery.

Among those showing support was Chavon Sharkey, a Marine Corps veteran who is bracing for her second Christmas without her oldest son, Private First Class LaGarian Sharkey.

Throughout his 28 years, Sharkey said LaGarian lived life to the fullest. He served his country in the Marines and as a role model to his entire family.

"He was very helpful with my sons and a lot of marines miss him, the community misses him, he was very sweet," Sharkey said.

PFC LaGarian Sharkey passed away early last year. Sharkey makes it her mission to stop at Bay Pines Cemetery and say hello several times a month but admits it’s a lot harder during the holidays.

"I always get a little down and depressed during the holidays because he would always come over during the holidays to help me cook," Sharkey said.

Sharkey said it brings comfort to see her community care and knows LaGarian is looking down on him with a smile. While a piece of her heart will forever be broken, Sharkey is grateful for those who have helped her heal.

"He's probably looking down on us with the other service members saying there's mom she's out there at it again," she said. "I miss him, I love him a lot and he will never be forgotten."

Five thousand wreaths were place at Bay Pines Cemetery but there are nearly thirty six thousand grave sites. The community has a goal to lay even more next year. If you’d like to help the organization, click here.