The Shadow
COLUMBIA FALLS, Maine – Dec. 13, 2025 – Today, National Wreaths Across America Day took place at 5,598 participating locations nationwide. Millions of volunteers — a third of whom were children — remembered our nation’s heroes as they said their names out loud, with the placement of over 3.1 million sponsored veterans’ wreaths. At Arlington National Cemetery, over 30,000 volunteers helped place wreaths at 265,000 gravesites.
“The wreaths laid today serve as a powerful gesture that unites communities, families, and even generations. It serves as an opportunity to learn about the men and women who served and sacrificed to protect our freedom,” said Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America. “I am in awe of what our volunteers accomplish to remember our nation’s service members each year. We extend our gratitude to all of our volunteers nationwide for their commitment to upholding our year-round mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach each and every day.”
For centuries, fresh evergreens have been used to symbolize honor and serve as a living tribute, renewed annually. Wreaths Across America believes the tradition represents a living memorial that honors veterans, active-duty military, and their families. When volunteers say the name of a veteran aloud while placing a wreath, it ensures they live on in our hearts and memories, remembered for years to come.
Wreaths Across America would like to thank the communities, dedicated volunteers, and generous sponsors for supporting those who have protected our freedom and their families. Each person has played a part in the year-long mission to Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom.
For more information about the year-long mission and ways to get involved in your own community throughout the year, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org. National Wreaths Across America Day will be held next year on Saturday, December 19, 2026.
About Wreaths Across America
Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s yearlong mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as at thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond.
