LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – As Thanksgiving arrives and families gather around warm tables with the smells of pumpkin pie and stuffing, it’s easy to get swept up in the holiday’s rush of turkey and football. But with Christmas just 28 days away, now is the perfect moment to pause, look ahead, and remember the veterans who made all of our holiday celebrations possible.
Wreaths Across America, an organization dedicated to honoring fallen service members, is inviting communities nationwide to join in that reflection. The mission is clear: Remember. Honor. Teach. This year’s theme is “Keep moving forward.” It highlights resilience – both in our communities and in the stories of the veterans we honor.
A December tradition of honor.
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On Saturday, December 13, volunteers will gather across the country for National Wreaths Across America Day, placing balsam wreaths at veterans’ graves and saying each name out loud – a simple but powerful act that ensures no hero is forgotten.
According to the organization, last year, 4 million volunteers, a third of whom were children, placed 3 million sponsored veterans’ wreaths on the headstones of our nation’s service members at 4,909 participating locations nationwide.
In Michigan, there were 81 participating locations which had 143 registered sponsorship groups supporting fundraising and awareness on the local level. The efforts of all the volunteers combined resulted in 57,848 veterans’ wreaths being placed in Michigan in 2024. Currently, 96 Michigan locations are already signed up to participate in this year’s Wreaths Across America Day.
It’s not too late for you to get involved.
This event is powered by everyday Americans willing to give a few hours to volunteer or sponsor a wreath for someone who can no longer speak for themselves. From local ceremonies to nationwide convoys, the organization encourages Americans to channel that resilience into action:
- Sponsor a wreath for just $17 to help place a wreath on the grave of a hero whose story deserves to be remembered.
- Volunteer locally by helping lay wreaths, coordinating events, leading a sponsorship group or showing up at a wreath-laying ceremony.
A gift that truly matters.
As we transition from Thanksgiving gratitude to Christmas giving, Wreaths Across America Day offers a chance to give a gift that lasts far beyond the holidays. One wreath. One name spoken aloud. One legacy preserved. This December, Michigan can help ensure that every veteran is honored.
