Wreaths Across America At Alexandria Cemetery: How To Help

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Wreaths Across America Day returns on Saturday, Dec. 14 to honor veterans with wreaths at their graves. Volunteers and wreath sponsorships are sought at Alexandria National Cemetery.

Every year, volunteers lay wreaths at veterans' graves at Arlington National Cemetery and more than 1,600 locations nationwide. So far this year, 3,333 wreaths have been sponsored at Alexandria National Cemetery, and 1,668 are still needed.

All are welcome to volunteer to lay the wreaths on Wreaths Across America Day. This year's ceremony will take place at noon at Alexandria National Cemetery, 1450 Wilkes Street. Sign up to volunteer or sponsor a wreath on Wreaths Across America's website. There is parking at the cemetery.

Wreaths Across America began in 1992 when Morrill Worcester's Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine, had extra wreaths nearing the holiday season. Worcester decided to honor the veterans' service and sacrifice by placing the wreaths at their graves at Arlington National Cemetery. After the effort drew national attention in 2005, the annual wreath-laying tradition expanded to locations around the U.S. and abroad.

Alexandria National Cemetery is one of 14 original national cemeteries established in 1862. With Alexandria serving as a campsite for Union soldiers defending DC during the Civil War, the cemetery nearly hit capacity in 1864. That ultimately led to the planning of Arlington National Cemetery. See more information about the cemetery at www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/alexandriava.