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Each December Andersonville National Historic Site participates in the Wreaths Across America program as a special way to honor and remember the sacrifice of military service members during the holiday season. Wreaths sponsored through the nonprofit Wreaths Across America organization are delivered to and placed on gravesites in national cemeteries across the country, including Andersonville National Cemetery. Sponsored wreaths can be designated for placement on the specific grave of a loved one, or left undesignated and placed on one of thousands of gravesites that otherwise may not be visited or honored.With the invaluable help and support of Bennett International, the Taylor Family Foundation, Wreaths Across America, Friends of Andersonville, the American Ex-Prisoners of War, and other partners, thousands of wreaths are brought to Andersonville National Cemetery each year. Our shared goal is to honor each of the over 20,000 gravesites in the cemetery with a wreath.2022 Event InformationWreaths Across America 2022 event activities will begin at noon on Saturday, December 17, in Andersonville National Cemetery. The public is invited to attend a small ceremony to be held at the Rostrum at noon, when wreaths honoring each branch of military service will be presented. Limited seating will be available. Immediately following the ceremony, the public will be invited to help place wreaths on graves in Andersonville National Cemetery as a way to honor and remember those who served our country.For more information, call the park at or email the park at Help Place Wreaths:Individuals must complete the parks individual volunteer form and photo release form. You can print and complete these forms and bring them with you, or you can complete these forms at the park after you arrive.Families and Groups must complete the parks group volunteer form (one form for the entire family or group) and photo release form. You can print and complete these forms and bring them with you, or you can complete these forms at the park after you arrive.Honor the Forgotten - Sponsor a WreathThousands of veterans buried at Andersonville seem forgotten, never visited by friends or family. Placing a wreath on their graves is a simple yet beautiful way to honor and remember the lives they lived, the holidays they missed while serving their country, and the sacrifices they made for our freedom.If you, your family, organization, or business is interested in sponsoring one or more 20 Frasier Fir wreaths, please visit the Wreaths Across America page for Andersonville National Cemetery.Remember a Loved OneBeginning December 1, wreaths and floral blankets no larger than 2 feet by 3 feet are permitted in the cemetery. Please contact your local florist to order an appropriate floral decoration. Wreaths should be brought to the gravesite in person or delivered by a florist. To find the location of a specific grave, please visit the National Cemetery Administrations Nationwide Gravesite Locator. National Wreaths Across America Day has a simple mission: Remember fallen U.S. veterans; honor those who serve; and teach your children the value of freedom. This important day is an annual event that takes place every third Saturday in December at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as other cemeteries in the U.S., at sea, and abroad. Wreaths are laid as family and friends remember both those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and those who currently serve in the armed forces.Surplus holiday wreaths launched a patriotic traditionWhen Karen and Morrill Worcester of Harrington, Maine discovered a 5,000-wreath surplus at their Worcester Wreath Company, they enlisted their senators help to place the wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery as a patriotic gesture.Congress recognized National Wreaths Across America DayNational Wreaths Across America Day came to life with a unanimous congressional vote.Major battle sites honoredWreaths Across America coordinated a series of wreath-laying ceremonies at 750 cemeteries and major battle sites — including the Pearl Harbor Memorial, Bunker Hill, Valley Forge, and 911 sites.Wreaths Across America hit a milestoneWreaths Across America laid its one millionth wreath at Arlington National Cemetery.During a gala evening, the founders of Wreaths Across America received the Congressional Medal of Honor Societys Patriot Award — the highest award the organization can bestow on an individual during a special ceremony.WAA has Location Coordinators who can direct you to a local cemetery or memorial wall for a wreath-laying ceremony. You can also sponsor a wreath for both living and deceased members of the military.WAA has a program to help you make or sponsor a dog tag in honor of a deceased veteran. You dont literally make the dog tags, but you may provide the written sentiment that WAA will then place on the tags. The dog tag with the veterans name is included, and you can physically place it on the gravestone during the annual ceremonies.Release your inner poet with sentimental words about your loved one, living or dead. Post your remembrance with fond pictures on social media. Speak of your pride and your sadness because there are so many others who will get comfort from your words and images. You never know whose heart you will touch.After General Robert E. Lees wife lost the home because she couldnt pay the taxes, the federal government seized the property and turned it into Arlington National Cemetery.Abolitionists in 1863 helped establish a sanctuary for a group of former slaves on General Lees former property, but evictions in 1900 made room for the new cemeterys incoming burial plots.Arlington didnt gain major recognition until after President Kennedys burial. His wife switched the site from Massachusetts to Arlington because she believed that her husband belonged to the people.Environmentalists and area residents are protesting an upcoming expansion involving the massive clearing of trees because its projected that the cemetery will run out of room by 2025.Placing wreaths on the graves of fallen military members is an amazing gift of remembrance. On Wreaths Across America (WAA) Day, theres an annual wreath-laying at Arlington National Cemetery — where friends and family can pay a special tribute to the lives of the people who are buried there. Plus, theres a Remembrance Tree program affiliated with WAAs Museum in Harrington, Maine. Gold Star families come together for fellowship — as well as to harvest balsam tips that are later turned into wreaths.National Wreaths Across America Day picks an annual theme that inspires various activities. This years theme is Be Their Witness — reminding us of the importance of telling the stories of those who have died. The theme is based on the inspirational story of Michael Strobl, a Marine who served in the Iraq War. When one of his comrades fell to enemy fire, Lt. Colonel Strobl demonstrated amazing loyalty by escorting the body back to the Marines hometown in Wyoming after the war.Wreaths Across America Day reminds children that freedom is precious. Its also important to pay homage to those who died protecting this country. WAA offers learning tools, interactive media projects, and provides opportunities for schools and youth groups to participate in a wide variety of informational and patriotic activities.

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