Monument commission ending flower program
On April 2, the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) is closing its Floral Fund Program and will no longer process new floral orders. In announcing the closure, the ABMC cited that “There was a time when this program provided an important service to the next of kin, given the difficulty following the world wars of ordering floral arrangements for placement at our overseas cemeteries. In today’s international commerce environment, however, that is no longer the situation.”
After April 2, friends and family members still will be able to have flowers placed within ABMC cemeteries but must place those orders directly with one of the florists. A list of florists who provide international delivery is below. Instructions on how to order can be found here. Cemeteries do accept flowers ordered commercially. However, in order to receive a photo of the placed floral decoration, orders must be processed through ABMC.
Because many families will want to place flowers on Memorial Day, the ABMC will take Floral Fund orders until April 1. For all orders placed prior to April 2, the last day for placement of arrangements will be June 1.
International Florists
1-800-Flowers – www.1800flowers.com or (800) 356-9377
Arena Flowers – www.arenaflowers.com
Flora200 – www.flora2000.com or (800) 456-1797
Flora Queen – www.floraqueen.com
From You Flowers – www.fromyouflowers.com or (800) 838-8853
FTD – www.ftd.com/ or (800) 736-3383
iFlorist – www.iflorist.co.uk
Interflora – www.fleurop.com/ or (888) 630-4438
Pro Flowers – www.proflowers.com or (800) 580-2913
Serenata Flowers – www.serenataflowers.com
Teleflora – www.teleflora.com or (800) 835-3356
Local Florists
Gerrekens – www.belfleuregio.com or 0032-(0)87-784369 (serves Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery)
Mexico City National Cemetery $40 $125
Netherlands American Cemetery $34 $130
Normandy American Cemetery $50 $150
North Africa American Cemetery $30 $100
Oise-Aisne American Cemetery $50 $120
Rhone American Cemetery $60 $120
Sicily-Rome American Cemetery $25 $140
Somme American Cemetery $50 $70
St. Mihiel American Cemetery $55 $100
Suresnes American Cemetery $50 $140