Wreaths Across America set for Dec. 14 at Mt. Hope Cemetery

Wreaths Across America is returning to Webb City’s Mt. Hope Cemetery on Dec. 14 for the third year to honor the 1,200 veterans resting there, along with those who are POW/MIA.

2023 was the 32nd consecutive year of veterans’ wreaths being placed at Arlington National Cemetery, when Morrill Worcester, the founder of WAA, first brought one truckload of 5,000 wreaths to Arlington in 1992. The tradition grew and in 2007 a national nonprofit was founded to expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony with a mission to “Remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and teach the next generation the value of freedom.”

Since then, the mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach has grown exponentially – not just in the number of wreaths or locations – but in the impact it has made in communities igniting a fire within our nation’s youth to continue remembering the cost of our freedom. Last year over 3,000,000 wreaths were placed by volunteers honoring veterans in over 4,225 locations in the U.S. and abroad.

WAA’s theme for 2024 is “Live with Purpose.” Locally at Mt. Hope, the ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 14 at the Veterans Wall.

Local organizer Susie Crutcher says, “The Webb City community comes together beautifully to show appreciation for our veterans – living and resting.”

Other volunteers include Webb City Mayor Lynn Ragsdale; Webb City High School JROTC Cadets and their instructor, Dustin Elder; Scout Troop 25; Charlie 22 Outdoors; the Civil Air Patrol; the American Legion and VFW local chapters and their auxiliaries; the Patriot Riders, and many other groups and individuals.

After a short ceremony, a wreath will be placed at the graves of those 1,200 veterans resting at Mt. Hope as their names are gratefully said aloud.

Crutcher encourages everyone to attend the ceremony and help lay wreaths.

It costs $17 to sponsor a wreath. For every two wreaths sponsored, Wreaths Across America will donate another for the same location.