DeKalb, IL 12/02: Honoring our veterans during the holidays has become a National Event. Every year on the second Saturday in December, organizations and volunteers across America (and some international locations) honor fallen veterans by placing wreaths on selected graves at national and private cemeteries.
The DeKalb American Legion Auxiliary has embarked on a campaign to create wreaths for local DeKalb County residents to purchase a holiday wreath for their veteran. The objective of this campaign was to provide a local source for area family members to select a unique decorated wreath for a veteran’s home or grave sites.
“We started this project in 2024 to create affordable wreaths to honor local veterans,” commented Sarah Newby, President of the local DeKalb American Legion Auxiliary Post 66. “Last year, we created and sold over 40 colorfully decorated wreaths and felt this was a worthwhile campaign to continue for 2025.”
In 2024, a local vendor donated over 40 wreaths and decorations to the auxiliary to start this special honor. The Legion Auxiliary felt this was a great way to support the national ‘Wreaths Across America’ project, while serving the community. Special thanks go out to Michael’s Craft Store for their donations and hosted by Libby Raih (Regional Michael’s Manager). The Auxiliary welcomes donations from individuals and organizations to support this project.
Wreaths Across America started in 1992 when Morrill Worcester, owner of the Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine, had a surplus of wreaths as the holiday season was ending. He remembered a childhood trip to Washington, D.C., and seeing the thousands of graves and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. That memory made Worcester realize he could use his surplus wreaths to honor the service members at Arlington. Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization that honors veterans by placing wreaths on graves on the second Saturday in December. Learn how you can support their mission by sponsoring a wreath, volunteering, or inviting others to join them. www.wreathsacrossamerica.org
This year’s national event is being held on Saturday, December 13, with more than two million volunteers placing wreaths on veterans’ graves at thousands of participating locations in all 50 states and at Veterans’ Memorials and historic sites to remember the fallen, honor those who served, and teach the next generation the value of freedom. At Arlington National Cemetery, there are over 400,000 wreaths placed – one on each veteran’s grave and at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The DeKalb American Legion Auxiliary will have a limited quantity of wreaths for sale starting Saturday, December 6th, and Saturday, December 13th – from Noon to 2:00 PM at the American Legion Post located at 1204 South 4th Street in DeKalb, Illinois. The cost is only $15.00 per wreath. Please support this project and be the one who makes a difference.
To learn more about the local DeKalb Veteran Wreath program or the DeKalb American Legion Auxiliary organization, please contact Sarah Newby at 815-751-2424, or email her at sarahnewby16067@gmail.com.
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