PHOENIX, December 12 — On this chilly Arizona morning, the Phoenix Mercury participated in a special event at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. Mercury forward Candice Dupree joined members of the Mercury front office staff and the X-Factor today in remembering those veterans who paid the ultimate price.

In partnering with Wreaths Across America for today’s “National Wreaths Across America Day” the Mercury helped collect donations for wreaths that today were laid out at the cemetery. The goal of the program is to ensure that every veteran is remembered during this holiday season.

Over 6,000 wreaths—all paid for by private donations—were laid out today by over 600 volunteers from all across the Valley. The volunteers included veterans and their family members, volunteer groups and people just looking to say ‘Thanks’ during the holiday season to those who fought for freedom.

The morning began with a special ceremony that included community speakers, a “Remembrance Table” ceremony performed by the Scottish American Military Society-Post 48 and performances by youth choirs.

The main message of the day was the main reason the Phoenix Mercury wanted to be involved with a group like Wreaths Across America: The price of Freedom that we enjoy today is not free and we need to forever remember and honor the sacrifices made by our Veterans.

Dupree has a number of family connections to the Air Force as both her mother and father both served. An original member of the Mercury X-Factor, Jaime Gale, also came out to join the Mercury event this morning. Gale served over 20 years in the Army, Air Force and National Guard. Many of the Mercury staff who also participated in the events of today have close family and friends who have served, making the celebration of Wreaths Across America Day very special for everyone in the group.

All across the United States today, ceremonies and events like the one today in Phoenix took place. The Phoenix Mercury always make remembering and honoring active servicemen and women as well as Veterans a key part of the far-reaching community relations platform of the club. As is the goal of Wreaths Across America, the Phoenix Mercury will continue to never forget the sacrifices of our veterans throughout the holiday season.

For more information on Wreaths Across America, please visit: www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.