Remembering the Fallen, Honoring those who serve, Teaching the younger generations.

Nov 24, 2025

1st Lieutenant Joe Buan, CAP, Great Lakes Region, IL-329 PAO

Each year in December, Wreaths Across America (WAA) Remembers and Honors those who have fallen and served our country. Once again the Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, will be participating, sponsoring and laying wreaths.

This year the Wreath laying ceremony will take place at cemeteries across the country on Saturday, 13 December 2025 at 11AM. Squadrons participating from the Illinois Wing include: Peoria, Col. Shorty Powers (Bolingbrook), Lewis (Romeoville), Springfield. Locations include Glendale Cemetery in Washington, IL, Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield, IL and Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL.

All ages and all backgrounds are welcome to participate in the ceremony. For more information on locations, go to the Wreaths Across America Location Search website: https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/About/LocationAndGroupSearch

“Wreaths Across America was started as a 501(c)3 non-profit in 2007, over 15 years after the first wreaths were donated to Arlington National Cemetery (1992) by Morrill Worcester and the Worcester Wreath Company.” according to their website.

"Remember this.... In truth a person dies twice, once when he stops breathing, and a second time when somebody mentions his or her name for the last time. Join us in December when over one million volunteers nationwide, will say the names of a million fallen out loud, to make sure they will never be forgotten"
— Karen Worcester, Executive Director of Wreaths Across America

“When a volunteer places a wreath on a veteran's grave on National Wreaths Across America Day, we encourage them to speak that veteran's name aloud, thank them for their service and sacrifice, and reflect on that person and their life.” - Wreaths Across America

One of the key aspects of WAA is to Teach future generations focusing on Character Development and Service Projects.

Join us in Honoring, Remembering and Teaching.