'Wreaths Across America' Event Planned For GA National Cemetery

CANTON, GA — Wreaths Across America, the annual wreath placement program to honor veterans at Georgia National Cemetery, will take place Dec. 19, 2020.

According to organizers, this year the event will be expanded over a three-day period, December 17-19 to appropriately socially distance crowds while conforming to recommended CDC guidelines.

Each year, Georgia National Cemetery Advisory Council appreciates the outpouring of support from the local community as they give freely of their time and resources to ensure each sacred grave is adorned with a fresh balsam wreath embellished with a beautiful red ribbon bow.

Each time a wreath is placed at a headstone or niche column, a volunteer will recite the name and witness a veteran, spouse, or dependent child being remembered at Christmastime.

With over 17,000 veterans to remember, donor support is needed and appreciated. Funds must be received by November 30 to order enough wreaths for all. Donations may be made online by visiting GaNationalCemetery.org.

“This has been a challenging year for all of us, and we’re so glad this annual tradition will continue for our families” said Council Member, Tom Wilder, “we know everyone will take appropriate precautions to honor veterans safely this December.”

Volunteers may sign up to place wreaths during a two-hour time slot between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m on Dec. 17, 18, or 19. All donors and families wishing to place wreaths on specific sites are encouraged to sign up to participate Thursday, Dec. 17 or Friday, Dec. 18.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Department of Veterans Affairs will be unable to provide transportation vans to assist people living with disabilities, so folks with mobility concerns are encouraged to sign up to participate on Thursday or Friday as well.

Volunteer groups and the general public are encouraged to sign up on Friday and Saturday in order to place all remaining wreaths. Space is limited and masks and gloves will be required. There will be no public ceremony, however, a virtual ceremony will be shared on social media and GaNationalCemetery.org.

These dates and times are exclusive to the Georgia National Cemetery placement event. All other cemeteries participating in Wreaths Across America will create their own schedule. The Wreaths Across America Foundation is assisting the individual cemeteries by maintaining a sign-up log. Prospective volunteers are encouraged to sign up through a link on GANationalCemetery.org to register. This is an attempt to control the crowds at any particular time.