National Wreaths Across America Day

Categories:: Cause
Tags:: Historical Military
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Third Saturday of December
Holiday emoji:: 🇺🇸

National Wreaths Across America Day remembers fallen U.S. veterans, honors those who serve, and teaches children the value of freedom every third Saturday in December. Participate by sponsoring a wreath, volunteering at a local cemetery, or simply taking a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made for our country.

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Expected National Wreaths Across America Day Deals

National Wreaths Across America Day inspires profound acts of remembrance and community support rather than commercial deals. Many organizations, like Wreaths Across America itself, offer opportunities to sponsor wreaths for veterans’ graves. Retailers such as Walmart and Tractor Supply Co. often partner with WAA, facilitating wreath sponsorships and promoting volunteer efforts. Veterans’ service organizations like The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) encourage members and the public to participate in local ceremonies and support their ongoing programs. Look for local businesses, especially those owned by veterans, to host collection drives or offer matching donations to WAA. We will update this page with confirmed live opportunities as December 19 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Wreaths Across America Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #WreathsAcrossAmerica. Share photos and videos of wreath-laying ceremonies, personal tributes, and moments of remembrance from your community.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #WreathsAcrossAmerica. Post about local events, share stories of veterans, and encourage others to volunteer or sponsor a wreath.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #WreathsAcrossAmerica. Create event pages for local ceremonies, share personal stories of service, and invite friends and family to participate.

National Wreaths Across America Day Hero

Morrill Worcester

Morrill Worcester is the founder of Wreaths Across America. In 1992, his company, Worcester Wreath Company, had a surplus of wreaths and, with the help of Maine Senator Olympia Snowe, arranged to place them at Arlington National Cemetery. This act of remembrance grew into the national movement now known as Wreaths Across America, inspiring millions to honor fallen veterans each December.

National Wreaths Across America Day timeline

1992

Surplus holiday wreaths launched a patriotic tradition

When Karen and Morrill Worcester of Harrington, Maine discovered a 5,000-wreath surplus at their Worcester Wreath Company, they enlisted their senator's help to place the wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery as a patriotic gesture.

December 13, 2008

Congress recognized National Wreaths Across America Day

National Wreaths Across America Day came to life with a unanimous congressional vote.

2011

Major battle sites honored

Wreaths 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 9/11 sites.

2012

Wreaths Across America hit a milestone

Wreaths Across America laid its one millionth wreath at Arlington National Cemetery.

April 20, 2018

Honorary Patriot Award

During a gala evening, the founders of Wreaths Across America received the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s Patriot Award — the highest award the organization can bestow on an individual during a special ceremony.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Wreaths Across America Day

Local businesses can honor National Wreaths Across America Day by becoming a local sponsorship group or collection point for wreaths. Consider hosting a fundraiser where a portion of sales goes towards wreath sponsorships, or organize a volunteer group from your staff to participate in a local ceremony. Display patriotic decorations and share information about the day’s mission with customers. Veteran-owned businesses can highlight their service and encourage community involvement, reinforcing the values of remembrance and gratitude.

National Wreaths Across America Day FAQs

When is National Wreaths Across America Day?

National Wreaths Across America Day 2026 falls on Saturday, December 19, an ideal weekend date for communities to gather and honor fallen heroes. Ceremonies take place at Arlington National Cemetery and thousands of other locations.

How many wreaths are laid on National Wreaths Across America Day?

In recent years, Wreaths Across America has coordinated the laying of over 2.7 million wreaths on veterans’ graves across the nation and abroad. This massive effort relies on millions of volunteers and sponsors annually.

How many locations participate in Wreaths Across America?

In 2026, Wreaths Across America is expected to coordinate ceremonies at over 3,700 participating locations across all 50 U.S. states, at sea, and in more than 30 foreign countries. This vast network ensures broad remembrance.

What is the significance of the wreaths laid?

The evergreen wreaths laid on National Wreaths Across America Day symbolize honor, respect, and eternal life. Each wreath is placed with a moment of reflection, and volunteers are encouraged to say the veteran’s name aloud.

How to Observe National Wreaths Across America Day

Lay or sponsor a wreath
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.
Sponsor a dog tag
WAA has a program to help you make or sponsor a dog tag in honor of a deceased veteran. You don't 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 veteran’s name is included, and you can physically place it on the gravestone during the annual ceremonies.
Post your remembrance on social media
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.

4 Things You Didn't Know About Arlington National Cemetery

It belonged to a Confederate general's wife
After General Robert E. Lee’s wife lost the home because she couldn’t pay the taxes, the federal government seized the property and turned it into Arlington National Cemetery.
Former slaves had a village on the land
Abolitionists in 1863 helped establish a sanctuary for a group of former slaves on General Lee's former property, but evictions in 1900 made room for the new cemetery's incoming burial plots.
The JFK burial raised Arlington Cemetery's national profile
Arlington didn’t gain major recognition until after President Kennedy’s burial. His wife switched the site from Massachusetts to Arlington because she believed that her husband belonged to the people.
It's running out of space
Environmentalists and area residents are protesting an upcoming expansion involving the massive clearing of trees because it's projected that the cemetery will run out of room by 2025.

Why National Wreaths Across America Day is Important

It remembers those who died for our freedom
Placing wreaths on the graves of fallen military members is an amazing gift of remembrance. On Wreaths Across America (WAA) Day, there’s 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, there’s a Remembrance Tree program affiliated with WAA's Museum in Harrington, Maine. Gold Star families come together for fellowship — as well as to harvest balsam tips that are later turned into wreaths.
It honors those who currently serve
National Wreaths Across America Day picks an annual theme that inspires various activities. This year’s 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 Marine's hometown in Wyoming after the war.
It teaches young people the value of freedom
Wreaths Across America Day reminds children that freedom is precious. It's 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.