This Christmas, giving the gift of freedom is the subject of this week's Feel-Good Friday.
Saturday, December 13 was National Wreaths Across America Day. The Wreaths Across America organization was founded in 1992, Congress designates a day in December to honor our veterans and fallen heroes, and Wreaths Across America does the rest. They mobilize to place a wreath on the grave of the ones who served and died to uphold the freedoms we enjoy.
Last Saturday, more than two million veterans’ wreaths were placed across local, national, and military cemeteries, as well as veterans’ memorials and historic sites. The tradition began with Arlington National Cemetery that first year, and continues there to this day. Families that are pass holders to the cemetery are given the privilege of being able to lay their wreaths a day before the national day. Arlington National Cemetery posted on its X account that this year marked the most-attended Family Pass Holder Day since the event’s inception.
Thank you to our family pass holders who placed a wreath at their loved one’s grave today.
— Arlington National Cemetery (@ArlingtonNatl) December 7, 2025
Each year, before Wreaths Across America Day, family pass holders visit Arlington National Cemetery to honor their loved ones by placing a wreath at their grave or columbarium niche. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/8PJ6j5lftT
The wreath laying ceremonies span to 5,200 additional locations in all 50 states in our nation, on land, and at sea. This ceremony is even observed abroad in some of the 26 military cemeteries across the globe. On the West Coast, American Legion Post 642 of Cupertino, CA, held their celebration in Silicon Valley.
As part of the National Wreaths Across America celebration on Saturday, Dec. 13, American Legion Post 642 in Cupertino, Calif., sponsored a wreath-laying ceremony at Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in Los Altos for the 10th consecutive year.
In his 10th and final year organizing the event, Post 642 member Dennis “The Menace” Whittaker – who once served as a combat infantry platoon leader in Vietnam – coordinated efforts between the post, city officials and local Scouting units to place more than 1,100 wreaths. Whittaker emphasized the importance of remembrance and education, stating, “We need to honor and teach why we are here today.” District 13 Commander Richard Peralez of American Legion Post 419 in Santa Clara also participated in the ceremony, joining volunteers in laying wreaths to honor the fallen.
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“We need to honor and teach why we are here today.”
— The American Legion (@AmericanLegion) December 18, 2025
As part of @WreathsAcross America, American Legion Post 642 in Cupertino, Calif., sponsored a wreath-laying ceremony at Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in Los Altos for the 10th consecutive year, placing 1000+ wreaths.… pic.twitter.com/ee07mAZog4
Feel-Good Friday: Alabama's Vietnam Veterans Finally Get Recognized on the War's 50th Anniversary
In the South, Augusta, GA, honored their heroes.
Wreaths Across America was held at various locations throughout Aiken County to honor those service members who served by placing a wreath on their graves and teaching the community about the importance of their sacrifice.
“These live wreaths symbolize and honor those who served and those who are serving on the armed forces in our great nation," said Linda Roach, commandant of Marine Corps League Riverfront Marines Detachment 1132.
North Augusta American Legion Post 71 held a small ceremony at Wade Hampton Park on Dec. 12 to honor veterans who won't have an individual wreath at a cemetery by placing wreaths with all six armed forces branches at the park.
Several wreath laying ceremonies took place at Pineview Memorial Gardens, Sunset Hill and Charles Hammond Family cemeteries, as well as other locations in Aiken County.
Children from various Boys Scouts of America troops, volunteers and family members placed wreaths on the graves of veterans at Pineview Memorial Gardens in North Augusta.
Roach said across the nation at more than 4,000 grave sites, people remembered those who served in the military. Roach said the price of freedom hasn’t been free and people had to give their lives in order for others to be free.
And on the East Coast, Schuylerville, NY, a village located 35 miles from Albany, recognized the veterans in their community.
Forty Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors joined hundreds of volunteers to place wreaths at the graves of veterans at Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville on December 13, 2025.
[...]
A total of 17,000 balsam wreaths were placed at the cemetery, according to the national Wreaths Across America organization.
Nine Airmen from the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing, Soldiers from the New York Army National Guard’s 42nd Infantry Division, Sailors assigned to the Nuclear Power Training Unit in Saratoga Springs, and Schenectady Naval Reserve Center took part in the wreath laying. Members of the Marine Corps and Coast Guard also participated.
A critical part of the wreath ceremonies involves speaking the soldiers' names aloud, so that their memory is never forgotten.
“Each wreath we place is more than evergreen and ribbon,” said Air National Guard Colonel Steven Slosek, commander of the 109th Airlift Wing. “It is our visible promise that those who serve will never be forgotten.”
Wreaths Across America's tenets are: Remember, Honor, and Teach, and they provide guidance for anyone who desires to do this, even if they are unable to participate in a ceremony. There are a number of ways that one can show support and honor a family member, close friend, or just a veteran who deserves annual remembrance.
REMEMBER
The simplest way is to sponsor a veterans' wreath. I have four uncles who served, so purchasing wreaths for their graves in their honor is something I plan to do in 2026. If there is no one in your immediate family or circle who is a veteran, you can always sponsor a wreath and allow Wreaths Across America to designate the recipient from among the millions of veterans in their database who deserve this recognition.
HONOR
If you have the ability to volunteer, there are a number of ways to do it. Laying wreaths is one, but someone can also help by leading a sponsorship group, organizing a ceremony, or coordinating ceremony locations. You can contact Wreaths Across America for many more ways to get involved and give of your time!
TEACH
It behooves us to teach service and sacrifice to the next generation, and having them participate in the mission of Wreaths Across America is one way to do this. The organization even has a Mobile Education Exhibit where students learn about stories of patriotism and are encouraged in love of country. So needed in this day and age.
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The 2026 National Wreaths Across America Day will be Saturday, December 19. So, there is plenty of time to plan ahead to purchase wreaths, sponsor an event, find a ceremony in which you can participate, or commit to educate and encourage the next generation that freedom isn't free, and how they can spread and share the gift of freedom they have received in sacrifice to others.
For more information, visit the Wreaths Across America website.
Merry Christmas!
Editor's Note: At RedState, it's not all about politics and policy. We like to bring attention to what's good in the world, with columns like "Feel-Good Friday," "Start Your Weekend Right," and "Hoge's Heroes."
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