Sand Springs Community Lays Wreaths For Lives Lost This Year

In the middle of town, streets are closed and people are laying wreaths to remember those who died this year.

"I tried to think of a way that would be proper and meaningful to the families to just stop and remember during the season of happiness that we haven't forgotten," said Kristin Johnston.

The wreath-laying ceremony is the first of its kind for Sand Springs. Kristin Johnston says the ceremony was originally for the lives lost in Sand Springs due to COVID-19 but says there are other lives they want to honor as well, like the crime victims and first responders.

"It's very hard on our police and fire, you know, to carry those memories as well and you know, it's a smaller town and if we don't know each other, we know of each other so it's hard on everyone," said Johnson.

The last wreath in Monday's ceremony was to honor veterans.

"So often you know people do lip service and say thank you when it's memorial or veterans but day-to-day, it doesn't seem like people know that we're here and this was really significant in people showing that they care and they know that we're here," said Karen Cruise of American Legion Post 17.

American Legion members know there are a lot of veterans living in Sand Springs and hope these wreaths will encourage those veterans to get help if they need it.

"We just want to help more if we can reach them. This might be one way to reach them right here," said Rick George of American Legion Post 17.