Wreaths Across America Honors Those Who Served
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People across the nation gathered to pay their respects and gratitude to fallen soldiers on Saturday, December 14, as communities celebrated Wreaths Across America.
The annual event began in 1992, when Worcester Wreath Company Owner Morrill Worcester was inspired to donate his company’s surplus of holiday wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery to honor the country’s veterans. As the plans to transport the wreaths were made, several other companies donated their help, and local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) members volunteered to decorate each wreath with red, hand-tied bows.
The tradition went on quietly and privately for several years, until a photo went viral of the wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery in 2005, and the nation shared their desire to honor veterans as well. In 2007, Wreaths Across America became a nonprofit organization, which now serves to “Remember the fallen. Honor those who serve. Teach the next generation the value of freedom.”
Locally, citizens gathered at the Lakeview Memorial Gardens in Vidalia and the Montgomery County Courthouse in Mount Vernon to participate in the national effort.
Ty Ann Copeland organized the Wreaths Across America event at Lakeview Memorial Gardens, and spoke to the attendees about the importance of remembering veterans. Boy scouts from Troop 939 worked to place wreaths on the graves of veterans within the cem-etery, while members of the local JROTC Thunderbolt Regimen and Sons of Smoke also helped in the ceremony.
In Montgomery County, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 10229 coordinated the event, which was held at the memorial on the Montgomery County Courthouse square. During their ceremony, wreaths for each branch of the military were placed at the monument, and Vidalia High School Freshman Jocelyn Harvill played TAPS to end the ceremony.
These locations will continue the tradition of honoring veterans with Wreaths Across America ceremonies next year, as the event is slated for Saturday, December 13, 2025.
LOCAL CEREMONIES – Though Wreaths Across America is celebrated across the nation, groups gathered locally at Lakeview Memorial Gardens and the Montgomery County Courthouse to host ceremonies honoring veterans.
REMINDING OF SACRIFICE – Vidalia Wreaths Across America Coordinator Ty Ann Copeland reminds event attendees that it is important to honor veterans and remember their sacrifice to the nation.
SHOWING REVERENCE – Members of the local JROTC Thunderbolt Regimen pay their respects to veterans and fallen soldiers during the Wreaths Across America event at Lakeview Memorial gardens in Vidalia.
