Every year since 2008, Congress proclaims a Saturday in December to observe National Wreaths Across America Day. In 2023, Wreaths Across America takes place on December 16th. Wreaths Across America is observed nationwide at local, national, and military cemeteries. Learn more about this holiday and its unique and honorable tradition below.

What Is Wreaths Across America?

Wreaths Across America aims to honor fallen veterans and those who serve while teaching people about the value of freedom. Congress chooses a Saturday for Wreaths Across America. During Wreaths Across America Day, thousands of cemeteries participate in a wreath-laying ceremony where live wreaths are laid on the headstones of our fallen troops. More than two million wreaths are placed each year at local, national, and military cemeteries and memorial or historical sites.

The History of Wreaths Across America

In 1992, Karen and Morrill Worcester discovered a massive surplus of wreaths at their Worcester Wreath Company. Rather than tossing them out, they decided to place these wreaths on the gravestones of fallen troops at Arlington National Cemetery with the help of their senator.

Over the years of the repeated tradition, Congress officially decided to make Wreaths Across America an annual occurrence in 2008 through a unanimous vote.

After its federal recognition, Wreaths Across America continued its mission to honor our fallen heroes, including laying wreaths at major battle sites and laying its one-millionth wreath at Arlington. For their work and commitment to veterans, Wreaths Across America received the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s Patriot Award. Today, Wreaths Across America continues to honor our fallen troops each year, and thousands of people volunteer to assist the cause.

Why Wreaths Across America Is Important

Wreaths Across America is important for many reasons and will become a time-honored tradition in the military community. Some of the main reasons Wreaths Across America is so important include:

●Remembering our fallen heroes: Laying wreaths on the graves of our fallen heroes is an excellent way to remember them during the holiday season.

●Honoring those currently serving: On top of remembering our fallen heroes, Wreath Across America also honors the sacrifices of those currently serving. Wreath Across America chooses an annual theme each year and encourages active service members and their community to get involved.

●Teaching the value of freedom: National Wreaths Across America Day is an excellent way to teach children about the value of our freedom and how precious it is. Wreath Across America offers interactive media projects, learning tools, and opportunities to schools and youth groups to help inform the youth about the sacrifices our service members make to protect our freedoms.

How to Observe Wreaths Across America

If you’re interested in getting involved in Wreaths Across America, consider some of the options below:

1. Sponsor of Lay a Wreath

Wreaths Across America allows you to sponsor a wreath to support their mission, whether you want to sponsor one or multiple. If you want to be more directly involved, you can volunteer with Wreaths Across America, where you’ll place wreaths at a site close to you. You can also get in touch with one of their Location Coordinators, who can direct you to a location with a wreath-laying ceremony.

2. Support the Remembrance Tree Program

On top of wreath-laying ceremonies, Wreaths of America also offers a free program to families who have a veteran in their family, called the Remembrance Tree Program. This program creates a living memorial to a fallen veteran by allowing the family to place tags around the trunk of an evergreen. The tips of the balsam trees are harvested once every three years to create the wreaths for the Wreaths of America ceremonies.

3. Post Your Support on Social Media

A simple, yet effective way to get involved with Wreaths of America is showing your support online. Share your thoughts and words about loved ones or veterans in general and post a picture to go with it. Many people will get comfort from your words, and it’s an excellent way to raise awareness about the annual tradition. You never know how far your post can reach.

Honoring National Wreaths Across America Day

At MLC, we would like to recognize the service and dedication Wreaths Across America has made to our veterans, their families, and our military community. We hope that those reading take a moment to show their support for such a good cause, whether you volunteer directly or raise awareness through social media posts. There’s nothing better during the holiday season than showing gratitude to those who make sacrifices for our freedoms, and Wreaths Across America is an excellent way to do it.