DVFlora was humbled and honored to participate in this year’s Memorial Day Flowers Foundation event at the Salem County Veterans Cemetery in New Jersey. A time-honored tradition that started in 2011 as a way to honor fallen soldiers by decorating headstones with red rose stems. Co-founder, Ramiro Penaherrera, has helped to grow the event by pulling together many of us in the flower industry; from growers, to wholesalers, to retailers.
It originally began at Arlington National Cemetery, but has now expanded to over 40 cemeteries and other Memorial Day observances around the country. According to Ramiro, over 400,000 flowers were distributed last year, with more expected this year.
In total, DVFlora secured 9,500 stems of roses from our farm partners; RosaPrima, Royal Flowers, Queens Flowers & The Elite Flower. This allowed us to support other events, in addition to the 3,000 that were handed out in Salem County, NJ.
- 5,400 to Arlington National Cemetery
- 500 to a local event in Cranberry, PA
- 500 to the Upper Darby Marine Corps League detachment #884
- 100 to our local Boy Scout Troop #445, who covered Veterans buried in the Mantua and Wenonah, NJ Cemeteries
- 50 red, white & blue bouquets which we were able to distribute to the widows of the fallen, by way of the Salem VFW Post 253 & Penns Grove VFW Post 8840
Each volunteer was asked to place a single stem at the foot of each grave stone, facing left, and quietly read out the Fallen’s name & inscription. It was a an emotional and moving experience to witness so many display reverence and gratitude.
