Each December, wreaths appear on the graves of veterans in cemeteries across the country, creating a visible reminder that military service is remembered long after a veteran is gone.
Sutton is among the communities taking part.
Sutton American Legion Auxiliary Argonne Unit No. 61 is beginning its annual fundraising effort for Wreaths Across America, a national program that places veterans’ wreaths at cemeteries throughout the United States each December.
The tradition began in 1992 when Maine wreathmaker Morrill Worcester had a surplus of wreaths near the end of the holiday season. Worcester arranged for the wreaths to be placed at Arlington National Cemetery, beginning an effort that eventually grew far beyond Arlington.
Wreaths Across America was established as a nonprofit organization in 2007. Today, volunteers participate at thousands of cemeteries and other locations across the country.
The organization’s mission centers on three words: Remember, Honor and Teach.
“Remember” focuses on those who died in service as well as veterans who have died since returning home. “Honor” recognizes those currently serving and veterans who have served. “Teach” encourages younger generations to learn about military service, sacrifice and the freedoms veterans helped protect.
The wreath placement is more than simply decorating graves for Christmas. During Wreaths Across America ceremonies, volunteers are encouraged to say each veteran’s name aloud as a wreath is placed, reinforcing the idea that each marker represents an individual life and story.
That idea is especially significant for the program in 2026.
This year’s national theme is “Remember Me,” which focuses on remembering service members individually, including their names, families and stories.
Locally, Sutton American Legion Auxiliary sponsors three area cemeteries through Wreaths Across America: Sutton Cemetery, Calvary Cemetery ( the Catholic Cemetery) and Saronville Cemetery.
Sutton Cemetery alone contains the graves of more than 400 veterans. For some of those veterans, relatives may no longer live nearby. The annual wreath placement provides another way for the community to ensure their service continues to be acknowledged.
The Auxiliary is also encouraging people to share stories about service members buried locally. Those memories can help preserve more than names and dates, providing a record of the people behind the military markers found throughout area cemeteries.
National Wreaths Across America Day will be Saturday, Dec. 19, when volunteers across the country will participate in wreath-laying ceremonies.
Locally, wreath sponsorships are $20 each, with money raised helping the Sutton Auxiliary place wreaths at the three cemeteries it sponsors.
Donations may be mailed to Sutton American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 61, P.O. Box 182, Sutton, NE 68979. Donations may also be dropped off with Sherrie Bartell at 105 S. Saunders Ave., Suite B, at Waypoint Bank in Sutton.
Although the wreaths remain only through the season, the purpose behind them extends beyond December: to make sure the men and women represented by the markers are remembered by name and that their service is not forgotten.
