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Volunteers across the country honored veterans by placing holiday wreaths on their gravesites during National Wreaths Across America Day on Dec. 13.
In 2024, an estimated 3 million wreaths were placed at more than 4,900 cemeteries throughout the U.S.
In New York, a whopping 7,500 wreaths with bright red bows were put on graves at Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale. Civil Air Patrol members, along with military families and groups of volunteers, braved Saturday’s chilly weather to honor fallen veterans.
Michael Gieraltowski, from the Civil Air Patrol, said the annual wreath-laying event is important to remember each veteran’s sacrifice.
“It helps people remember and honor the sacrifice of the people who are laid to rest here,” Gieraltowski told News 12 Long Island. “That they gave to defend our country.”
Volunteers Working Together
On Saturday, volunteers placed wreaths they purchased or helped place them, working together to ensure no gravesite with a military marker was forgotten.
“There’s only a small percentage of people that serve in the military that defend our country,” Gieraltowski said. “This is an opportunity for the larger public to remember and show their support for those who serve.”
Robert Gaba, an Army veteran, hasn’t missed a wreath-laying event in Long Island for 14 years. Gaba said he feels a deep connection to deceased veterans.
“It’s an honor to go to each one of the graves,” Gaba said. “The reason we come is obviously to honor all those people.”
For Gaba, honoring veterans is a calling he feels throughout the year, not just on certain days like Veterans Day or Wreaths Across America Day.
“There are thousands of people here, and that’s great,” he said. “But since we are associated with the military, this is something we should do. It’s not only an honor to do, but also a responsibility we feel.”
Ceremony Brings Personal Connections
In Fayetteville, Arkansas, Andrew Thompson, a Navy veteran, shares Gaba’s sentiment. When Thompson places a wreath on a gravestone, he doesn’t just see a name and a marker. He sees a fallen brother in arms.
“I think anybody who is a veteran is a comrade of mine,” Thompson told CBS 5 News in Fayetteville.
For some wreath layers, like Jannie Lanyne, the event is deeply personal.
“My son is buried right over there,” Lanyne said, pointing to a grave at the Fayetteville National Cemetery.
Lanyne has participated in the annual tradition for 15 years. She founded Bo’s Blessings, an organization in Northwest Arkansas that supports veterans and their families. In October, Bo’s Blessings was selected as a Blue Star Families Outpost to assist families with current military members serving overseas, the first organization of its kind in Arkansas.
“Now we get to work with the active-duty reservists, veterans, military, anybody who’s currently serving. We can be a support system for them in our 3rd Congressional District,” Lanyne told Fox 24 News in October.
Steve Long looks forward to National Wreaths Across America Day as a way to honor his father, a deceased veteran. Long serves as secretary of the Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation.
“It’s very important to honor the veterans and to keep the space for them,” Long said. “And many families in the area wish to be laid to rest near their loved ones.”
As millions of wreaths were placed across the country, the ceremony served as a time to pause and reflect on those who served in the middle of a hectic holiday season.
“It’s not just the names that are on the stones; it’s the ones that didn’t make it this far,” Thompson said.
Wreaths were also placed at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Organizers have designated Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, as a day to remove wreaths from the cemetery.
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26 Comments
The founding of Bo’s Blessings by Jannie Lanyne is a wonderful example of how the event can inspire people to give back to their communities and support veterans and their families.
The selection of Bo’s Blessings as a Blue Star Families Outpost is a great recognition of the organization’s efforts to assist families with current military members serving.
It’s great to see organizations like Bo’s Blessings receiving the recognition they deserve for their hard work and dedication.
The fact that volunteers worked together to ensure no gravesite with a military marker was forgotten is a testament to the sense of community and respect for fallen veterans.
The ceremony brings personal connections for many, including Andrew Thompson, who shares a sentiment with Robert Gaba, highlighting the importance of honoring veterans throughout the year, not just on specific days.
The number of cemeteries participating in the event, over 4,900, is a remarkable display of national support for fallen veterans and their families.
The fact that 3 million wreaths were placed at over 4,900 cemeteries throughout the U.S. is a remarkable display of respect for fallen veterans, and it’s heartening to see communities come together for this cause.
I completely agree, it’s a wonderful way to honor their memory and sacrifice.
I’m impressed by Robert Gaba’s dedication to attending the wreath-laying event in Long Island for 14 years, it shows his deep connection to deceased veterans and his commitment to honoring their memory.
Jannie Lanyne’s story is particularly moving, as she has participated in the annual tradition for 15 years and has a personal connection to the event, with her son being buried at the Fayetteville National Cemetery.
Robert Gaba’s feeling of responsibility to honor veterans is inspiring, and it’s clear that he sees it as a calling that goes beyond just attending events like Wreaths Across America Day.
The quote from Michael Gieraltowski, ‘It helps people remember and honor the sacrifice of the people who are laid to rest here,’ resonates deeply, as it highlights the importance of remembering the sacrifices made by veterans.
His words are a powerful reminder of the significance of this event and the impact it has on those who participate.
The chilly weather on Saturday didn’t deter volunteers from participating in the wreath-laying event, which shows their commitment to honoring fallen veterans and their families.
The fact that Andrew Thompson sees a fallen brother in arms when he places a wreath on a gravestone is a poignant reminder of the bonds that exist among veterans and the importance of honoring their comrades.
The tradition of placing wreaths on gravesites is a beautiful way to show respect and gratitude for the sacrifices made by veterans, and it’s heartening to see it continue to grow and evolve.
The fact that the event is not just about honoring veterans, but also about remembering their families and the sacrifices they made, is an important aspect of Wreaths Across America Day.
It’s touching to see a young girl saluting after placing a wreath on a gravesite at Long Island National Cemetery, it’s a beautiful display of respect and gratitude from the younger generation.
Michael Gieraltowski’s statement that ‘there’s only a small percentage of people that serve in the military that defend our country’ highlights the importance of the event in showing support for those who serve.
It’s a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by veterans and the importance of honoring their service.
The event is not just about honoring veterans, but also about remembering their sacrifices and the impact they had on their families and communities.
It’s a reminder that the effects of war and service can be felt for generations to come.
The story of Jannie Lanyne and her organization, Bo’s Blessings, is a powerful example of how the event can inspire people to make a positive impact in their communities.
It’s a testament to the power of community and the importance of supporting one another.
The number of wreaths placed at Long Island National Cemetery, 7,500, is staggering and a testament to the community’s dedication to honoring fallen veterans.
It’s amazing to think about the number of people who came together to make this happen, and the impact it must have on the families of the veterans.