Several national Wreaths Across America Days planned in Tennessee

Published 2:46 pm Friday, November 4, 2022

Volunteers across the state of Tennessee are working in support of national nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA) as they prepare for National Wreaths Across America Day — this year on Saturday, Dec. 17.

Currently, there are 74 participating WAA locations that will take part in this national event that endeavors to honor every interred American veteran with a live, balsam veteran’s wreath. Nearly 200 registered sponsorship groups are helping to raise the necessary wreath sponsorships to honor all the 242,085 veterans laid to rest in all of these participating locations. Through the effort, local volunteer groups and individuals give back to their communities and help to share the year-round mission to Remember the fallen, Honor those that serve and their families, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom.

Among participating East Tennessee locations are the Andrew Johnson National Cemetery in Greeneville, the Oak Hill Cemetery in Washington County, and the Mountain Home National Cemetery in Johnson City. Thus far, 4,189 wreaths have been sponsored at the Mountain Home National Cemetery, with 12,811 still needed to make the goal. You can sponsor a wreath or volunteer to lay wreaths. The cost to sponsor a wreath is $15. Local persons can contact David Carter at (423) 349-4622 to sponsor a wreath.

Since its founding in 2007, WAA has partnered with thousands of local nonprofits and civic groups, including Veteran Service Organizations that are helping living veterans and their families, to help raise awareness and wreaths sponsorships throughout the country. The WAA’s $5 give back program, registered sponsorship groups can earn $5 for every $15 veterans’ wreath sponsored to support these programs in their own communities. Each registered WAA sponsorship group also has a secure landing page where wreaths can be sponsored.

“It would be disingenuous for us as an organization whose mission is to Remember, Honor and Teach, if we do not support other like-minded programs serving their communities,” said WAA Executive Director Karen Worcester. “Our Group Sponsorship Program is a year-round effort, and our national office provides the tools so you can be confident that you are supporting a local program giving back in your community.”

This year, across the country more than 3,400 locations will participate in National Wreaths Across America Day — Saturday, Dec. 17 — and more than 5,000 Sponsorship Groups are working in local communities to raise awareness and the wreath sponsorships needed to honor all local service members laid to rest with the placement of live, veterans’ wreaths.

Tune in to Wreaths Across America Radio to hear from local Tennessee volunteers and how they are finding a way to serve in their communities and helping to grow the mission!