Veterans representing all four military branches placed wreaths at gravesites in Mammoth. Photo by Jonah Altamirano
Remember – Honor – Teach. These words describe the mission of Wreaths Across America. Remember the fallen. Honor those who serve. Teach the next generation the value of freedom. Local community members joined together at cemeteries in Mammoth and Oracle to support the organization and remember the many heroes who rest in honored glory. The 2025 theme is “Keep Moving Forward.”
“Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at more than 5,200 locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad. Anyone who wants to offer a small gesture of gratitude for the freedoms Americans enjoy can volunteer at a wreath laying ceremony to assist in saying veteran names aloud and thanking them for their service.
American Legion Color Guard presents the Colors at the Wreaths Across America Event in Oracle, Arizona. Photo by T.C. Brown
When you volunteer at a cemetery near you on National Wreaths Across America Day, you’ll play a valuable role by placing live, balsam veterans’ wreaths on the headstones of our fallen heroes. For centuries, fresh evergreens have been used as a symbol of honor and have served as a living tribute renewed annually. Wreaths Across America believes the tradition represents a living memorial that honors veterans, active-duty military, and their families. When each wreath is placed the servicemember’s name is said out loud, ensuring their memory lives on.
Every year since 2008, Congress proclaims a Saturday in December as National Wreaths Across America Day. This year’s Wreaths Across America Day took place on December 13, 2025. On that day, more than 2 million Veterans’ Wreaths were placed across Local, National and Military Cemeteries as well as Veterans’ Memorials and historic sites.” More information about Wreaths Across America can be found at https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/GetInvolved/PlaceWreath.
SaddleBrooke Rotary Club Members were instrumental in the event being a success. Photo by T.C. Brown
A total of 108 wreaths were placed on veteran’s graves at the Oracle Cemetery. Members of the American Legion Color Guard presented the colors. Rotary, and VFW members worked hand in hand to make this event a success. In Mammoth, approximately 102 wreaths were placed.
Sponsoring a veteran’s wreath is a personal gift of gratitude and remembrance for someone who served this country so that we can be free.
Veteran’s families were remembered and honored as part of the Wreaths Across America event at the Oracle Cemetery. Photo by T.C. Brown
“Your sponsorship supports the yearlong mission to remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and teach the next generation the value of freedom, while making new and existing free programs available to the masses. With each sponsorship made, a veteran’s wreath will be placed to honor an American hero at participating locations next year on National Wreaths Across America Day.
“We can’t do that without your support, though. Your sponsorship will ensure that a wreath is hand-crafted of all-American balsam and hand-tied with a red velvet bow here in Columbia Falls, Maine. It will then be sent to one of our participating locations, where a volunteer will place it on the marker of a hero. That volunteer will then “say their name” to ensure that the legacy of duty, service and sacrifice is never forgotten.”
Diane Demeroutis (SaddleBrooke Rotary) (left) holds an American flag while Mammoth Mayor Ernest Bustamante (right) gives a speech about the veterans. Photo by Jonah Altamirano
According to a social media post: 5,598 locations across the country participated in National Wreaths Across America. Millions of volunteers placed over 3.1 million sponsored veterans’ wreaths. At Arlington National Cemetery, over 27,000 volunteers placed wreaths at 265,000 gravesites and niche columns.
“This day is a reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together as Americans. Your contributions matter! Thank you to all who made the mission possible this year!”
Bill Demeroutis (SaddleBrooke) placed a wreath on a veteran’s headstone in Mammoth. Photo by Jonah Altamirano
Paying respect. Photo by Jonah Altamirano
Judge Ellie Brown and Mary Kay Voss spoke to those who attended the Wreaths Across America event. Photo by T.C. Brown
Wreaths were placed in honor of veterans of the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard and Marines and Navy veterans. Photo by T.C. Brown
SaddleBrooke Rotary members met the truck with the wreaths. Photo by Jonah Altamirano