As of last week, there were approximately 3,000 wreaths sponsored for the Dec. 15 ceremony at Chattanooga National Cemetery.
"Several large donations, including a 1,000 wreath donation from Unum, have increased that number substantially," officials said. "With more than two dozen non-profit groups still seeking individual sponsorships, we are on pace to reach the 10,000 wreaths mark in time for the Dec. 15 ceremony."
Maj. Marty Nix, CAP, this year’s Chattanooga Location Leader said, “Our goal for this year has been to place a wreath on every one of the 43,000 headstones at Chattanooga National Cemetery. That means we are still 33,000 wreaths short of our goal.
If you, your church or club, your employer, or any one you know might be willing to help us honor 100% of the veterans buried in our Chattanooga National Cemetery (CNC) this year, please direct them to the following website:
www.ChattanoogaWAA.com.
"Additionally, we will need hundreds of volunteers to help us place wreaths, immediately following the noon ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 15. The 20-minute ceremony will be held at the pavilion at the cemetery. More than two dozen of the area volunteer organizations (including the Civil Air Patrol, Young Marines, Navy Sea Cadets, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Brownies, Patriot Riders, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Daughters of the American Revolution, Sons of the American Revolution and more) will be participating in the ceremony and/or involved in distributing wreaths on grave sites at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.”
2nd Lt. Byron Poe, CAP, who is organizing the unloading of wreaths from the trucks before the ceremony, and placement of the wreaths immediately after the ceremony, wants the general public to know that, “Only handicapped parking will be available at the cemetery. We must ask the general public to park at the National Guard Armory, about one mile south of the cemetery. From there, we will have free shuttle buses to transport volunteers from the parking lot to the cemetery, and back again afterwards, running until the last wreath has been placed. We suggest you plan to arrive at about 11:00 am so you can be at the pavilion for the ceremony at noon.”
Specially designated wreaths for the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, and POW/MIA will be placed on memorials during a ceremony that will be coordinated simultaneously at over 1,400 participating locations all across the country.
"The Wreaths Across America story began more than two decades ago when the Worcester Wreath Company from Harrington, Me. initiated a tradition of donating and placing wreaths on the headstones of our nation’s fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery. Recognition of the service and sacrifice of our veterans, and their families, is especially poignant during the traditional holiday season," officials said.
“Wreaths Across America exist today because of the individuals and communities across the country who want to do something to show their gratitude,” said Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America. “Placing a wreath is a simple gesture, but people coming together across the country to Remember, Honor and Teach, is what makes us all a part of a larger community of Americans.”
To sponsor a wreath or for more information about the Chattanooga event, visit
www.ChattanoogaWAA.com.