Wreaths Across America again sees strong Legion Family support

On Dec. 16, volunteers across the nation and world headed to more than 4,225 cemeteries where they honored the more than 3 million veterans buried there.

And once again, members of the American Legion Family were big supporters of National Wreaths Across America Day events in their communities – including a record-setting effort at one location.

American Legion Family members from three different American Legion posts were part of that effort in Nashville, Tenn., where they helped honor the lives of 10,176 veterans.

American Legion Posts 82, 88 and 281 supported the effort in the weeks and months leading up to the event at the Nashville National Cemetery and were there to help lay the wreaths on Dec. 16.   

“It’s our way of paying back,” said Annette Robeck, the Wreaths Across America coordinator and a member of Post 88. “The wreaths honor the lives of the veterans represented at the cemetery, not their deaths.” 

“When I look around here, there’s a legacy of service that is represented here on this field,” said Post 82 2nd Vice Commander Eric Rasmussen. “It makes me emotional to know that these people that came before us, our brothers and sisters who served in front of us, are remembered here, and that’s important. That’s kind of what this day is all about; the laying of the wreaths on these gravesites are to remember their names, and to remember the fact that they served our nation, and they served with honor.” 

In Wisconsin, the District 8 American Legion Riders continued a tradition dating back to 2018 by raising enough funds to cover every gravesite at the Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in King. This year, more than 7,800 wreaths were placed.

And at Arlington National Cemetery, American Legion National Vice Commander Raymond Vail and American Legion Auxiliary National President Lisa Williamson represented the Legion Family by helping place what totaled 260,000 wreaths at the cemetery.

Across the nation, Legion Family took time to honor veterans in Wreaths Across America events. The following are a few examples; Legion Family members are encouraged to share their efforts at www.legiontown.org.

Iowa

In Ames, American Legion Riders Chapter 37 led an effort that placed more than 1,800 wreaths at the Ames Municipal Cemetery.

Montana

In Park County, American Legion Livingston Park Post 23 took part in its first Wreaths Across America effort, placing 156 wreaths on the gravesites of veterans buried in Mountain View, Clyde Park, Wilsall and Calvary cemeteries.

New York

·       In Tappan, Carl A. Schelin American Legion Post 1271 led the Wreaths Across American effort at the Tappan Cemetery.

·       In Stillwater, Earl J. Manning American Legion Post 490 was one of the fundraising groups that helped place more nearly 20,000 wreaths at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery

North Carolina

In Waynesville, American Legion Post 47 placed more than 800 wreaths at Greenhill Cemetery.

Oklahoma

In Chelsea, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 60 sponsored the Wreaths Across America effort that placed 44 wreaths at Chelsea Cemetery.

Pennsylvania

In Mildred, McDermott American Legion Post 452 sponsored the wreath placement at Baptist Cemetery.

Tennessee

At Mountain Home National Cemetery, more than 13,000 wreaths were placed. The effort was supported by American Legion Hammond Post 3, American Legion Post 24, American Legion Post 49 and Hacker-Wood Post 145.

Texas

In Frisco, American Legion Post 178 joined with others at Dallas/Fort Worth National Cemetery for the ninth straight year to participate in Wreaths Across America. The support included the unloading of 4,405 boxes of wreaths on Dec. 15 and the placing of more than 54,500 wreaths.

Post 178 members will also assist with the removal of wreaths on Jan. 20.

Virginia

In Fauquier County, Harold J. Davis American Legion Post 247 and the Bealeton Remington Ruritan Club led their fifth annual Wreaths Across effort, placing 430 wreaths across 12 cemeteries.

“This event started with a vision to honor those who served, ensuring no veteran is forgotten,” said David Sillaman, who serves as Post 247’s Wreaths Across America chairman. “It began with a handful of wreaths and has now reached 430. It was an honor to take a moment to remember those who have gone long before and who might not have family members to visit their gravesites and thank them for their service. Relying on the participation of volunteers is key to the success of this wreath-laying event, today and in the future.”

Wisconsin

·       In Harshaw, American Legion Riders District 11 and Veterans Ceremony-U.G.C., Inc., sponsored the wreath placement at Northwoods National Cemetery.

·       In Washington County, Allenton Fohl-Martin American Legion Post 483 led an effort that resulted in 828 wreaths being placed on veterans’ gravesites at 18 Allenton and Slinger community cemeteries.