You have probably seen a photo like this, Arlington National Cemetery during the Christmas season, when beautiful wreaths with red velvet bows are placed at veterans’ tombstones. It is a beautiful and touching scene.
Arlington National Cemetery, 2010, Flickr [1]
These wreaths are from the non-profit organization Wreaths across America and are placed by volunteers on a specified day in December.
This year National Wreaths Across America Day is Saturday, 16 December 2023, when volunteers will gather at more than 4,000 participating locations across the country to remember and honor our nation’s heroes, one wreath at a time.
These live balsam wreaths come from the Worcester Wreath Company, a family farm in Maine and a proud sponsor of Wreaths across America. The wreaths are made in Maine and each comes with a red velvet ribbon.
The mission of Wreaths across America is threefold: Remember the fallen. Honor those who serve. Teach the next generation the value of freedom.
Remember: Sponsor a veteran’s wreath in honor of or in memory of a loved one who served in our armed forces. Or sponsor a wreath and allow Wreaths across America to designate a recipient among the millions of veterans who rest in honored glory.
Honor: Volunteer with Wreaths across America as they honor our veterans throughout the year. Opportunities include laying wreaths locally, leading a sponsorship group, or coordinating a ceremony location.
Teach: Invite friends, family, coworkers, and organizations to join Wreaths across America as they strive to honor every veteran, helping to support and spread the word of their mission.
You can volunteer for this worthy cause several ways: sponsor a wreath, volunteer, partner with Wreaths across America on National Wreaths across America Day, or sponsor a specific cemetery or Local Sponsorship Group.
There are several ways to sponsor a wreath or any number of wreaths:
Pair a Wreath: Pair a sponsored wreath with a gift wreath which is delivered to your home or to a loved-one or friend.
In Honor and Memory Of: Sponsor wreaths in honor of living veterans or in memory of those who have passed, with the option to include email or mailed gift cards.
Show Your Support: Show your support on National wreaths Across America day with Wreaths across America merchandise and gear, which also makes a good gift, helping to spread information about their mission.
The past few years I have sponsored a wreath and purchased a wreath for my parents’ tombstone, called Pair a Wreath. I let Wreaths across America designate a recipient for my sponsored wreath, although I could designate a specific recipient if I wanted.
I received my Wreaths across America wreath last week and we placed it at my parents’ gravestone, in honor of my dad, a WWII veteran. The wreath I sponsored will be placed at a tombstone somewhere on 16 December, National Wreaths Across America Day.
Herbert & Florence Miller, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Ohio (2023 photo by Karen)
What a special way to honor our nation’s veterans and decorate a grave-site with a beautiful Christmas wreath as well.
[1] Flickr photo, taken 11 Dec 2010, uploaded 14 Dec 2010, https://www.flickr.com/photos/walmartcorporate/with/5262055852/ , Creative Commons License, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/# .
