One wreath at a time, the names of deceased veterans are spoken and remembered on National Wreaths Across America Day in December, a national initiative that aims to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach the next generation the value of freedom.
In 2025, over 3.1 million sponsored veterans’ wreaths were placed on headstones of service members at 5,597 participating locations across the United States.
This year, the Englewood community is invited to celebrate National Wreaths Across America Day at Gulf Pines Memorial Park on Saturday, Dec. 19 at 10 a.m.
As a registered fundraising sponsor for Wreaths Across America, Cathy Cornish, funeral director at All Veterans All Families Cremations, encourages community members to sponsor wreaths through All Veterans All Families and volunteer during the ceremony to honor fallen veterans by name.
For Cornish, who has participated in Wreaths Across America for several years, the tradition is an opportunity to bring families and community members together to recognize the lives and sacrifices of those who served.
Before every wreath placement, volunteers read aloud from the engraved headstone and acknowledge each veteran by name and credentials.
“Thank you for your service. You will never be forgotten.”
Those are the words Cornish says before carefully placing a fresh, ribbon-tied balsam wreath at the gravesite, ensuring each veteran’s service and sacrifice are remembered.
Each year at Gulf Pines Memorial Park, the Englewood community, including Cub Scout groups, school ROTC programs, veterans, the color guard and military personnel, honor the country’s fallen heroes on this special day. The annual tradition brings together generations of community members in a shared expression of gratitude and remembrance.
“The biggest heartwarming thing of all, though, is to see all the volunteers that come,” Cornish said.
Beyond honoring military service, the tradition offers families an opportunity to reconnect with loved ones who have passed away at a time when memories of family gatherings and traditions may be especially meaningful.
“So many of my families are veterans and I want to offer them the opportunity to acknowledge their loved one, visit them again and put a wreath on their gravesites,” Cornish said.
Each wreath sponsorship costs $17, with contributions supporting the nonprofit’s remembrance and educational programs. For families, sponsoring a wreath can be a personal gesture of gratitude and remembrance.
Although participating fundraising groups, including All Veterans All Families Cremations, can receive a portion of the sponsorship proceeds, Cornish has chosen to direct those funds back to Wreaths Across America.
To encourage people to participate, Cornish plans on distributing flyers to the families she serves. Residents can sponsor wreaths through All Veterans All Families Cremations, while those interested in volunteering can register online and select a participating ceremony.
There is no cost to attend Gulf Pine’s wreath-laying ceremony.
For Cornish, National Wreaths Across America Day is reminder to pause amid the busy holiday season and remember our parents, grandparents and loves ones whose military service helped shape the lives of those who came after them.
“it’s just really nice for the families,” Cornish said.
To visit All Veterans All Families sponsorship page and sponsor a wreath or volunteer, visit https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/159339
