Wreaths Across America – the nonprofit group that places millions of holiday wreaths on the graves at military cemeteries – is entering the new year with a new theme.
The group this week announced the 2023 theme as “Serve and Succeed.”
“There are many ways to serve your community and country, and just as many definitions of success,” said Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America. “We hope through focusing on those stories of success we will help change the dialogue around what it means to serve your country.”
In 2022, more than 2.7 million veterans’ wreaths were placed by volunteers on headstones at 3,702 participating locations around the country in honor of the service and sacrifices made for our freedoms, with each name said out loud during ceremonies. Wreaths Across America volunteers work year-round to ensure military laid to rest are remembered, their families and living veterans are honored, and the next generation is taught about the value of freedom.
In the Quad Cities, holiday wreaths were placed on the graves of more than 1,000 soldiers at the Rock Island National Cemetery on Arsenal Island. The cemetery participated in the national Wreaths Across America program with a ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 17.
The next National Wreaths Across America Day will be Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023. It is a free event and open to all people.
For more information on how to volunteer locally or sponsor a wreath for an American hero, visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.
