SOLDIER SUPPORT IN FULL BLOOM MOM ORGANIZES GARDEN TOUR FUNDRAISER.

Byline: JUDY O'ROURKE

Staff Writer

CANYON COUNTRY -- One local mom is marking the fourth anniversary of the war in Iraq -- which claimed her soldier son in 2004 -- by backing flower power, but not the 1960s version.

Christi Larsen is readying to celebrate the first anniversary of a spring garden tour she established to benefit moms of servicemen and women.

"Perhaps this garden tour will allow other communities to get involved, this would encourage them, inspire them," Larsen said.

"A lot of people said, 'I didn't know what to do.' They said this allowed them to give."

Larsen was overcome by the outpouring of support from community members, many of them strangers, after her son, Army Pfc. Cole W. Larsen, died in November 2004 in a vehicle accident. The avid gardener sought a special way to say thanks.

The tour will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 10 and will feature newcomers as well as some repeats from last year.

The beneficiaries will be TAPS, a tragedy-assistance program for survivors, and the Wounded Warrior Project, which helps soldiers returning from the war.

Since the U.S. launched the attack in 2003, U.S. military casualties in Iraq have reached 3,217, according to the Associated Press.

For information, visit www.memorialgardentour.com.

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