What is Wreaths Across America?
In 1992 Maine wreath maker Morrill Worcester had a surplus of wreaths. He decided he wanted to have these wreaths placed on graves at Arlington National Cemetery in areas that received fewer visitors each year. Several volunteers stepped up to help, including Veterans from American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts and a truck company owner who transported the wreaths to Arlington, Virginia, where a small ceremony was held at the cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This remained a small yearly tradition for nearly 15 years until the photo below taken at the 2005 ceremony went viral. Almost immediately, thousands of people wanted to know how to help or how they could begin a similar tradition in their states. In 2024 over 3 million Veterans’ wreaths were placed in total across the country at 4909 participating locations. We encourage everyone to visit their website. https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/About/OurMission
Governor Jared Irwin Chapter NSDAR
Wreaths Across America
In 2022 Governor Jared Irwin Chapter NSDAR began Wreaths Across America in Washington County. In their first year over 225 wreaths were placed on graves of Veterans in Washington and surrounding counties. Sandersville Old City Cemetery was the only registered location that year.
Fast forward to 2025 and over 1000 wreaths were placed at Veterans graves in Washington and surrounding counties. The one location of Sandersville Old City Cemetery has grown to 24 registered cemetery locations and two churches recognizing Veterans who are/were members of their churches.
The truck pictured above delivered our wreaths in 2022, our first year. Words cannot describe the feelings we all had when the truck pulled up. We did not know what to expect, it being our first year, but this was very emotional.
Our delivery men were two veterans who donated their time to drive to Maine to pick up their load of wreaths and deliver them in Georgia. The trucking companies donate the use of their trucks to deliver wreaths all over the United States.
Participating Locations
In 2025, 24 cemeteries were sponsored and two churches sponsored wreaths for the Veterans who were or are members of their congregation. These locations are listed below. Click on the caption to view Veterans.
10 Veterans Honored
44 Veterans Honored
50 Veterans Honored
63 Veterans Honored
26 Veterans Honored
4 Veterans Honored
19 Veterans Honored
34 Veterans Honored
45 Veterans Honored
39 Veterans Honored
35 Veterans Honored
16 Veterans Honored
22 Veterans Honored
39 Veterans Honored
137 Veterans Honored
10 Veterans Honored
23 Veterans Honored
36 Veterans Honored
9 Veterans Honored
13 Veterans Honored
16 Veterans Honored
5 Veterans Honored
43 Veterans Honored
40 Members Honored
34 Members Honored
Ceremony and Wreath Laying Location Pictures
2025
Flag Placement
Each year prior to the wreath laying ceremony, locations place flags at the graves of the Veterans that will have a wreath placed at their grave. This identifies the graves where wreaths are to be placed. These pictures are from Sandersville Old City Cemetery this year prior to the wreath laying. (photos by Kayla Jackson)
How Can I Help?
Sponsor a Wreath – Honor Veterans by sponsoring a
wreath that will be placed on a Veteran’s grave or given to honor a
Veteran. Cost – $17.00 per wreath.
Location Coordinator – Coordinate a wreath laying ceremony at a cemetery. Coordinate wreath sponsorships and Coordinate wreath laying ceremony at a cemetery.
Donation – With donations we publish our Veterans Remembrance Book, place wreaths for Veterans in cemeteries not participating.
Attend A Ceremony and Lay Wreaths – Attend a ceremony and afterwards help to lay wreaths at the graves of the Veterans