Commemorative item issued for ‘Christmas Honors’

A little more than $59,000 has been raised to support the Christmas Honors project, and a commemorative print of photographs from the event are now available to help raise more money for the community effort.

The Christmas Honors project placed 12,000 wreaths at the Fort Smith National Cemetery on Dec. 12, with the wreaths remaining at the headstones until Jan. 10.

Christmas Honors was pushed by the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce, and was the initial concept of Fort Smith businessman Philip Merry. According to the chamber, the effort is designed “to help honor the servicemen and women of our community, who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.”

Jeff Beauchamp, president of Bedford Camera & Video, originated the idea to develop the commemorative piece (see images below) to provide people “a celebratory momento” that will help document the first event and help raise money to support the project. Bedford employee Jeffery Willard designed and created the piece, using photographs from at least seven area photographers.

Bedford Camera & Video provided for free all materials, printing and time to the chamber, and the 8 1/2 X 11 and 11 X 14 pieces are available at the chamber (612 Garrison Avenue, downtown Fort Smith) and at Bedford (2801 Rogers Ave.). The recommended donation for the smaller piece is $5, and $10 for the larger piece.

Whitney Yoder, vice president of program development & implementation for the chamber, said $59,085 had been collected as of Tuesday (Dec. 22) morning. The initial goal was to raise $60,000. Much of that money has come from small donations and all over the country. She said they recently received a check from a man in Florida with a relative buried at the Fort Smith National Cemetery.

“He’s not able to come anymore, but thought it was nice what we did and he wanted to support us,” Yoder explained.

(Below are the front and back of the Christmas Honors commemorative print.)