Remember, Honor, Teach: Wreaths Across America

6 min read

Over a year ago, my wife and I stopped cemetery to visit my parent’s grave site to place flowers and talk with them. As we drove away, my wife caught the site of military graves. Some were decorated with Christmas wreaths while many were not. We got out of the car to take a closer look. Looking around my wife asked me what was wrong. The only words I could muster were, ‘this is not right’.

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As I continued to survey the Veteran's burial site, I observed the resting places of individuals who had served in past wars— the Gulf War, Afghanistan, Vietnam, South Korea, World War II, World War I and even the Spanish-American War. What struck me profoundly was the absence of Christmas wreathes adorning ‘all’ the graves of these brave men and women who had answered the call to protect us.

Determined to unravel this discrepancy, I quickly returned to the car and told my wife that we needed to find out who was in charge of this cemetery. Not wasting anytime, I drove over to the main office building. I entered the main office I walked up to the reception area to inquire about the person in charge. It didn't take long before I was introduced to the director of community relations. When I shared what I saw at the Veteran’s burial site, the director invited me into their office where we had an insightful conversation. During this discussion, I learned about Wreaths Across America. I knew the name of the program but wasn’t that well informed as to the purpose of the organization.

The director explained that the program allowed people to sign up for Christmas wreaths to honor their loved ones during the month of December. However, the enormity of the task required a collective effort, as not all graves could have a wreath laid on their grave. It became clear that marketing the program to the public was essential to encourage community participation in providing Christmas wreaths for this significant event at the gravesite, a very substantial undertaking.

In essence, the Christmas Wreaths Across America program facilitates ordering wreaths to be placed on the graves of loved ones during the special event. The challenge lies in rallying people to participate in their respective communities, shedding light on why I saw so many graves not covered with a wreath.

Feeling a deep sense of responsibility, I couldn't simply walk away doing nothing. I told the director I wanted to purchase Christmas wreaths for these veterans for the following year's ceremony. Without a second thought, I pulled out my wallet and, without hesitation, used my credit card to buy 400 Christmas wreaths for my fellow vets.

That evening, the communications director called to express gratitude for my purchasing the 400 Christmas wreaths. During our conversation, she invited me to join their Wreaths Across America committee, emphasizing the importance of having a vet on their committee would speak volumes. Eager to contribute, I gladly accepted and committed to helping however I could. As we progressed, multiple meetings ensued, and we reached the point where we were ready to launch our event on December 16th, 2023.

So, how did this program come about?

Christmas Wreaths Across America (WAA) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to honor and remember the lives of U.S. military veterans by placing wreaths on their graves during the holiday season. 

Morrill Worcester, founder of WAA. Courtesy of : Dept. of Defense

The program was founded by Morrill Worcester, owner of the Worcester Wreath Company, in 1992. The initiative began when Worcester had a surplus of wreaths and didn’t know what to do with the excess. With the help of Maine Senator Olympia Snowe, arrangements were made to place the extra wreaths on graves at Arlington National Cemetery. This gesture grew into a national movement stemming from a photo taken at the 2005 ceremony, which went viral. Christmas Wreaths Across America was officially established as a nonprofit in 2007.

The primary purpose of Christmas Wreaths Across America is to pay tribute to fallen veterans, express gratitude for their service and sacrifices, and ensure that their memories are not forgotten, ever, especially during the holiday season. The wreaths, often adorned with red bows, are placed on gravesites in national cemeteries, state veterans’ cemeteries, and local cemeteries across the United States.

By 2014, the now-nonprofit Wreaths Across America had reached its goal of placing a wreath at all 226,525 military graves in various cemeteries.

The organization's motto is "Remember, Honor, Teach," emphasizing the importance of remembering the fallen, honoring their service, and teaching future generations about the value of freedom and the sacrifices made by those in the military. Each December, on National Wreaths Across America Day, volunteers gather at cemeteries across the country to participate in wreath-laying ceremonies.

Wreaths Across America is a way for communities to come together, show respect for veterans, and participate in a meaningful and symbolic act of remembrance. It serves as a powerful reminder of the gratitude and respect owed to those who have served in the military and a way to ensure that their memories live on.

Please remember war veterans. Always.

The event 

One year later, our preparations for the Wreaths Across America event at the local cemetery were finally came together where we were ready to launch our event on December 16th, 2023.

Eager to contribute, my wife and I volunteered to capture the moments through photography, ensuring we documented a group photo of all attendees.

The morning of the event was a cold December day. Crew members of the cemetery were setting up tables and chairs for volunteers to check in and receive instructions for where to go prior to the ceremonial speeches to begin. Various groups, including the Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of the USA, were present. After attendees signed in and enjoyed coffee and donuts, the day's focal point unfolded. Everyone gathered at the cemetery's main center for the proceedings. The national anthem was played, followed by the pledge of allegiance to the American flag. Subsequently, speeches were delivered by members of our committee, an Army Colonel, the Director of Community Relations, a Gold Star Mom, and a Blue Star Mom.

As the speeches resonated, I couldn't help but survey the graves of fellow veterans, remembering the Colonel's poignant words during his speech to the attendees: "all gave some, some gave all." The joy of knowing we had secured 2,163 wreaths was profound. I was happy that my contribution helped the event. 

After the speeches, volunteers proceeded to their designated gravesites of veterans to begin the laying of the wreaths. My wife and I went into different areas to capture as many pictures as possible. As I began capturing moments through my camera lens, I was moved by the people participating:

Girl Scout saluting a fallen warrior

• Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts were meticulous to follow the process, placing wreaths on the gravesite, fluffing the limbs, standing up and slowing saluting while calling out the names of the individuals they honored
• Parents, mothers, and fathers lay wreaths for their sons, daughters, and others. Their quiet moments at the gravesites reflected a mixture of hope and acceptance, wishing for the return of their loved ones while knowing it would never happen
• There was a tender moment involving a three-year-old child placing a wreath on a grave, with the loving guidance of their mother
• I was both happy and proud to place a wreath on my uncle’s gravesite, Jose de la Torre [Signalman Third Class, United States Navy] NOTE: My uncle served in United States Navy during World War ll. He was commanded by Admiral Chester W Nimitz to paint a mural of the world aboard the USS Missouri, that to this day still remains on the wall of the USS Missouri, now stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

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My uncle, Jose de la Torre, far left kneeling, [Signalman Third Class, United States Navy]

The Wreaths Across America event became a poignant tribute that morning, weaving together diverse stories of service, sacrifice, and remembrance on that meaningful day.

I’ve watched this event on the news over the years. Never did think I would be part of a team to coordinate the event that happen that morning. It’s one thing to see it on tv, but another to be there in person. For me, the emotions of friends I lost in Vietnam, and those who died in other wars, brought a stark reality to me, at how damn lucky we are in this nation, and have the freedom that we do today.

What can we learn from this story?  What's the takeaway?

To cut to the chase, get out there and volunteer if but to convey thanks to those vets who gave it their all for us. These magnificent individuals made the ultimate sacrifice; they answered the call without question and met their obligation to God and country.  

As for me, I’ll be back next year to answer the call for my fellow brothers. 

Well, there you go, my friends; that's life, I swear

For further information regarding the material covered in this episode, I invite you to visit my website, which you can find on either Apple Podcasts/iTunes or Google Podcasts, for show notes calling out key pieces of content mentioned and the episode transcript.

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