From Washington, D.C. to the state of Washington, Legion Family members led or took part in WAA events.
For more than three decades, American Legion Family members across the nation have joined with other Americans to gather in December to "remember our fallen U.S. veterans, honor those who serve, and teach children the value of freedom" through the placing of wreaths on veterans’ graves.
It was no different this year for the 32nd National Wreaths Across America Day on Dec. 14. More than 2 million wreaths were placed across more than 4,000 locations in the United States and throughout the world, honoring the veterans buried at those gravesites.
American Legion National Vice Commanders Charles “Chuck” Robbins and Joseph “Joe” Lysaght were there for the start of Wreaths Across America (WAA), taking part in the annual escort to Arlington National Cemetery. Robbins and Lysaght were two of more than 160 volunteers and 14 semis – hauling over 200,000 wreaths to be placed on veterans’ graves – that departed Columbia Falls, Maine, on Dec. 7, and made stops in Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Washington D.C. The final stop was Arlington National Cemetery on Dec. 14.
And across the nation, American Legion Family members sponsored or took part in WAA events in their communities. The following are a few examples; posts, units, squadrons and chapters who did so in their areas are encouraged to share those efforts on www.legiontown.org
Alabama
At Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, members of American Legion Riders Chapter 96 led the procession leading into the WAA ceremony. And during the ceremony, Emma Noble, the 2022 American Legion National Oratorical Contest winner and a current student at Mississippi State University, shared the stories of the servicemembers named during the ceremony.
Arkansas
In Morrilton, Nathan G. Gordon American Legion Post 39 sponsored the WAA event at Elmwood Cemetery. More than 500 graves were decorated with wreaths.
"The freedoms we enjoy today have not come without a price," Post 39 Commander Jerry Ashby said. "Lying before us here in cemeteries throughout this nation are men and women who gave their lives so that we can live in freedom and without fear. Today, we show a united front of gratitude and respect across the United States of America as we remember the fallen, honor those who served and their families, and teach the next generation the value of freedom.”
Florida
In Land O’ Lakes, American Legion Post 108 led the Wreaths Across America effort at Lutz Cemetery, where 200 veterans were honored. Watch video of the event here.
Illinois
· In Plainfield, members of Post 13’s Legion Family took part in the WAA event at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. Auxiliary Unit 13 annually donates wreaths to the event.
· In Ottawa, members of Auxiliary Unit 33 delivered wreaths to Oakwood Memorial Park, and also placed wreaths at six cemeteries.
Indiana
At Gravel Lawn Cemetery in Fortville, American Legion Post 391 joined with VFW Post 6904 and others to place wreaths on 850 veterans’ gravesites. Watch video of the effort here.
Maryland
Members of the Steadman-Keenan Post 96 Legion Family laid wreaths at Antietam and Arlington National Cemeteries.
Michigan
At Greenwood Cemetery in Petoskey, members of American Legion Post 141 took part in an effort that placed wreaths on the gravesites of the 1,763 veterans buried there.
Missouri
In Union, American Legion Post 297 took part in Wreaths Across America efforts at seven different cemeteries.
New Jersey
· In Morris Township, American Legion Post 59 organized the WAA event at Holy Rood Cemetery. Approximately 150 volunteers helped place around 850 wreaths at veterans’ graves.
· In Somerville, more than 200 volunteers took part in a WAA ceremony organized by the Somerville Elks and Somerville American Legion before laying wreaths at New Cemetery, which has veteran gravesites dating back to the Civil War. More than 2,000 wreaths were placed during the event.
· In Phillipsburg, Bernadine American Legion Post 457 supported the WAA event at Fairmount Cemetery. Volunteers placed 322 wreaths at the cemetery.
Ohio
In Leetonia at Oakdale Cemetery, Leetonia American Legion Post 131 and VFW Post 5532 covered the cost of the 346 veterans’ wreaths placed at the cemetery.
Pennsylvania
· In Knox, American Legion Post 720 hosted a WAA ceremony that was broadcast on the radio. Following the ceremony, 1,254 wreaths were placed on the gravesites of veterans across 26 cemeteries.
· In Ludlow, American Legion Post 489 coordinated the WAA event at the Veterans Memorial that honored veterans buried at Gibbs Hill and Moriah Lutheran cemeteries.
· In Bradford, American Legion Post 108 coordinated an effort that placed 2,916 wreaths at four area cemeteries. Volunteers gathered at Post 108 for a brief ceremony before heading to Oak Hill, St. Bernard, Willow Dale and Degolia cemeteries. Post 108 already is looking to the 2025 event. “We want to make a real big push that month to see how much we can get, how many wreaths we can get built up here early,” said Bob Witchen, Post 108’s organizer of the event. “It really worked well last year. It snowballed on us, we’ve really done fantastic.”
· In Watsontown, American Legion Post 323 helped spearhead an effort that placed wreaths at the Watsontown Cemetery.
Texas
· In Lufkin, American Legion Post 113 and Gipson Funeral Home placed more than 600 wreaths at Garden of Memories Memorial Park.
· In Denison, American Legion Post 62 placed more than 1,100 wreaths at Fairview Cemetery. “As long as you keep saying their name, they do kind of live on,” Post 62 member Chris Sanders said. “When we place the wreaths, we say the soldier’s name and thank them for their service.”
Virginia
In Fauquier County, hundreds of volunteers and attendees took part in Harold J. Davis American Legion Post 247’s sixth annual Wreaths Across America event. A ceremonial tribute took place prior to the laying of wreaths on approximately 750 graves at 12 cemeteries. Some of the graves dated as far back as the Revolutionary War and as recent as Operation Enduring Freedom.
“Our nation stands as a shining beacon of liberty and freedom to the world,” Post 247 Wreaths Across America Chair David Sillaman said. We thank those who gave their lives to keep us free, and we should not forget you. We should remember,” he said. “We honor not just those who fought on the front lines but also their families, whose sacrifices are often overlooked.”
Sillaman presented individual wreaths to family members of veterans interred in Fauquier County cemeteries. “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction,” he said, quoting President Ronald Reagan. “It must be protected and handed over to our children to do the same.”
Washington
Maynard-Price Post 52 hosted its first Wreaths Across America ceremony, which saw the placing of 112 wreaths at the Pullman Cemetery.
Washington, D.C.
Members of American Legion Post 46 and Post 20 joined to place wreaths at the US Soldiers' & Airmen's Home National Cemetery. Post 46 also teamed with the D.C. National Guard in organized a wreath-laying event at Congressional Cemetery.
Wisconsin
Allenton American Legion coordinated wreath-laying efforts at 18 local cemeteries.
- Honor & Remembrance