Every December, a powerful tradition unfolds across the nation.
What began in 1992 with a truckload of surplus wreaths placed at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia has grown into a national movement called “Wreaths Across America.”
This year, the movement included more than two million volunteers, 5,200 participating locations and millions of heartfelt tributes.
On Dec. 13, the fourth-degree Knights of Columbus Council of Palms 6673 of Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa sponsored a “Wreaths Across America” observance at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, Lenexa.
Volunteers braved freezing temperatures to lay 1,272 wreaths on veterans’ graves.
At its core, “Wreaths Across America” is built on three pillars:
• Remember the fallen U.S. veterans
• Honor those who serve
• Teach America’s children the value of freedom
Each evergreen wreath laid is a living memorial; a circle of life, unity and eternal gratitude.
Volunteers speak the name of each veteran aloud, ensuring their memory lives on. This simple act of saying their name is a powerful reminder that they are not forgotten.
The 2025 theme of the event was “Keep Moving Forward.” It calls Americans to action and reminds them that honoring the past gives strength and direction for the future. In a world that often moves too fast, “Wreaths Across America” invites people to pause, reflect and move forward with purpose.
