Wreaths Across America: A Tradition of Gratitude

The air was cold, cold enough that my breath came out in white puffs as I walked among the headstones, each one bearing a wreath with green branches and a red ribbon.

I carried a wreath, searching for an empty headstone. I walked over, passing by another volunteer, before taking a knee and silently laying the wreath against the marker. Once fixed, I read the name of the soldier laid to rest, thanking them for their service to our country.

This was not my first time participating in Wreaths Across America, but something felt different this time. The stillness. The scale. The shared reverence in every step. For the first time, I truly felt the weight of what this tradition meant. And it left me wondering: how did it all begin?

The Humble Beginning

In 1992, Morrill Worcester, owner of the Worcester Wreath Company in Maine, found himself with a surplus of wreaths at the end of the holiday season. Rather than let them go to waste, he remembered a childhood trip to Arlington National Cemetery, a visit that left a lasting impression. With help from volunteers and a local trucking company, Worcester arranged to place the leftover wreaths at Arlington’s older, less-visited graves. No media, no fanfare, just a heartfelt gesture to honor those who had served.

That quiet tribute might have remained a personal tradition, but in 2005, a photo of the wreath-lined headstones at Arlington went viral. The image struck a chord across the country, with thousands of people wanting to help. By 2007, Wreaths Across America (WAA) had been officially established as a nonprofit organization with a clear and enduring mission: Remember the fallen. Honor those who serve. Teach the next generation the value of freedom.

A Movement Grows

Today, Wreaths Across America coordinates events in more than 4,000 locations across all 50 states and American cemeteries abroad. In 2024 alone, over 3 million wreaths were placed on veterans’ graves, thanks to the efforts of more than four million volunteers.

But it’s not just about numbers—it’s about community. Local fundraising teams, schoolchildren, Gold Star families, civic organizations, and veterans’ groups all come together to support WAA’s mission.

For military families, veterans, and the organizations that support them, WAA represents a collective pause—a shared ritual of gratitude. Whether standing in snow, silence, or the warmth of sunlight, every wreath placed is a promise not to forget those who served our nation.

USBA’s Involvement 

That promise is what brings us back, year after year. For USBA, Wreaths Across America is more than a tradition—it’s a reflection of our mission to remember, honor, and teach. Each December, our team joins thousands of others in laying wreaths across the country, united by gratitude and respect.

But the effort begins long before the wreaths are placed. Volunteers prepare, routes are planned, and families like yours consider how to get involved. This season, we invite you to be part of USBA’s commitment to the mission.

You can:

• Sponsor a wreath in honor of a loved one
• Volunteer at a participating cemetery
• Involve your family and community in preserving this legacy

Every voice, every name, every wreath matters. To sponsor directly through USBA’s Wreaths Across America page, visit wreathsacrossamerica.org. Together, we can ensure the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes are never forgotten.

This blog post was written by Diana Rhoads, Marketing Associate at USBA.