Published on December 24, 2025 9:21 am
Last Updated on December 24, 2025 9:23 am
Union Cemetery was the site December 13 for a Wreaths Across America event.
This year at Union Cemetery there were 52 wreaths set on veterans graves. Among the wreaths that were placed, there were seven specific wreaths for veterans that were sponsored by either family members or friends. There was also a crew of volunteers who endured the wind, cold temps and some snow to make sure the job was done. The volunteers included members of American Legion Post 512, who is the sponsorship group, and Auxiliary Unit 512. Other volunteers came from the area which also included some who had sponsored some wreaths. There also eight special wreaths placed at the Veterans Memorial that represented the U.S. Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and the Prisoners of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA). The Wreaths Across America event was held with the support of American Legion Post 512.
The 2025 theme for Wreaths Across America (WAA) which is the national nonprofit whose year-long mission is to Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach our children the value of freedom was “Keep Moving Forward.”
The ceremony started at 11:00 AM on the 13th of December. Ralph Rounds who is the coordinator for Wreaths Across America shared why it is so important to hold this event. After his comments Judy Borrows of Altamont sounded “Taps” while the veterans and others saluted the United States Flag at the Veterans Memorial at Union Cemetery.
In 2024, over three million sponsored veterans’ wreaths were placed by volunteers on headstones at 4,909 participating locations worldwide. At Union Cemetery there were 65 wreaths sponsored in 2024, which was up from the 24 in 2023. This year they are hoping to do even more.
For 2026, National Wreaths Across America Day will be held this year on Saturday, December 19, 2026. This free event is open to all, and the organization encourages community members to participate by volunteering locally or sponsoring a wreath for an American hero.
If you would like to sponsor a wreath for the 2026 campaign you can go to: https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/181121/Overview/?relatedId=0 or go to the Wreaths Across America website
and locate the Post 512 wreaths group page which is: IL0305P – Grobengieser-Fischer Post 512 for the information.
