Wreaths Across American just reached their goal of 245,000 wreaths for Arlington Cemetery (read more here!) Now you can join them in placing the wreaths for the 25th year. Photo: AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez
What: This December marks the 25th year that wreaths have been placed at Arlington National Cemetery in remembrance of those who have fought for our country’s freedoms. Please join Wreaths Across America, along with more than 50,000 anticipated volunteers, to place remembrance wreaths on the nearly 245,000 headstones at Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016 – National Wreaths Across America Day.
Throughout the day, visitors can stay up to date with the latest information on wreath availability and ceremony details by following Arlington National Cemetery on Twitter @ArlingtonNatl.
Where: Arlington National Cemetery
Who: Morrill and Karen Worcester, founder and executive director (respectively), Wreaths Across America
Wayne Hanson, chairman of the board of directors, Wreaths Across America
Candy Martin, 2016 president of American Gold Star Mothers and grand marshal of the wreath escort to Arlington
When: Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016
7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Media check-in outside of Welcome Center gate along Memorial Avenue
8 a.m.
8:45 a.m. Ceremonial escort of wreaths arrives at Arlington’s main entrance
9:30 a.m. Opening ceremony at McClellan Gate, McClellan Drive (between Sections 12 and 33)
NOTE: A designated press area will be provided near the front of the stage.
10 a.m. to noon Wreath laying throughout cemetery (map provided to media upon check-in)
10:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Wreath-laying events at specific graves and memorials throughout cemetery including:
10:15 a.m. Columbarium
10:30 a.m. President Taft
11 a.m. President Kennedy
11:30 a.m. USS Maine Monument
Noon Wreath-laying ceremony at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
MEDIA REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Media interested in covering this event must register. Please register by 5 p.m. ET on Thursday, Dec. 15 by emailing pr@wreathsacrossamerica.org or calling (207) 513-6457. Networks interested in bringing satellite trucks into the facility must coordinate with the Arlington National Cemetery Public Affairs Office no later than Wednesday, Dec. 14 by noon ET. The Public Affairs Office can be reached at (877) 907-8585.
Parking: We highly encourage Metro use. Beginning at 7 a.m., members of the media are welcome to park along Memorial Avenue in designated press parking. A parking pass will be provided upon press check-in. No vehicles will be allowed into the cemetery on the day of the event without prior approval. The only vehicles authorized to park in the cemetery parking garage are those with family visitation passes and handicap placards.
This is a walking event. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring refillable water bottles. Temporary restrooms will be located throughout the cemetery.
Please be prepared for large crowds and long lines. Due to enhanced security, visitors will be subject to screening. We request that visitors not bring bags or backpacks into the cemetery.
About Wreaths Across America:
Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at hundreds of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond.