The Memorial Day Flowers Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, unites the flower industry to place roses and other flowers on the graves of fallen veterans for Memorial Day. Since 2011, it has been honoring the nation’s war dead in Arlington National Cemetery and in hundreds of communities across the country.

“The [Arlington] event is sponsored by the Wholesale Florist & Florist Supplier Association, Esprit Miami, Sole Farms, the Queens Group, Continental Farms, Connectaflor, Golden Flowers, Chrysal, Cargo Master, FedEx, Ocean View Flowers, Asocolflores and dozens of South American and Californian farms,” Foundation president Ramiro Peñaherrera told The Produce News. “Just at Arlington they have committed 120,000 roses and carnations to be distributed to about 40 percent of the headstones by volunteers, including 200 Boy Scouts who will receive a special merit patch.”

A Boy Scout volunteer lays a rose on the headstone of a fallen veteran in Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day 2014. Wholesale florists are encouraged to participate in the program by sourcing flowers from suppliers and purchasing $60 marketing boxes from MDFF. The $60 charge for each box covers the cost of 100 roses distributed at Arlington, plus marketing materials to be given to retailers, including 250 handout fliers (to which the retail shop may add their contact information) and one banner per box. The wholesaler partners with retail and mass market florists to organize and determine how to distribute the flowers in their own communities.

“For a small investment of time and money, you can honor our fallen heroes by helping your retailer share a floral expression of appreciation this Memorial Day,” said Peñaherrera. “Last day to order is May 9.”

Memorial Day (originally called Decoration Day) was once the biggest floral holiday of the year and people nationwide decorated graves with flowers and flags. It is celebrated on the last Monday in May. This year the date is May 25.

Last year there were 100,000 roses distributed by the foundation at Arlington National Cemetery and another 32,000 in 131 other locations around the U.S. “By participating in this program florists can bring awareness to the real reason we celebrate Memorial Day. It’s not just a day off work or school,” Peñaherrera said. “And they will honor the memory of our fallen veterans — that’s reason enough to do it right there.”

For more information, visit www.memorialdayflowers.org or email [email protected].