Update:

COLUMBIA FALLS, Maine — Dec. 19, 2020 — Saturday, on National Wreaths Across America Day at 2,557 participating locations, dedicated Americans in every state honored our nation’s heroes by safely placing a total of 1.7 million veterans’ wreaths on their headstones and remembering them, by saying each name out loud.

 

(Links to pictures by Susan Patton from Wreaths Across America Day at Arlington National Cemetery listed below)

 

“The 2020 theme for Wreaths Across America has been ‘Be an American worth fighting for,’ and this year I have been blessed to see my fair share,” said Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America. “The determination of the American people and their commitment to the mission to Remember, Honor, Teach, made it possible for us to move forward this year, safely. We are humbled, and forever grateful for the outpouring of support from all across the country.”

 

Wreaths Across America would like to thank the dedicated volunteers in every state for overcoming the many obstacles presented and remaining focused on the mission over the last year. From the individual Location Coordinators working with local officials on modified wreath placement plans, to the professional truck drivers who have been keeping this country moving but found time to help deliver these truckloads of respect, each person has played an important a part in the mission to Remember the fallen, Honor those that serve and their families, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom.

 

Each live, balsam veteran’s wreath is a gift of respect and appreciation, donated by a private citizen or organization and it is placed on graves by volunteers as a small gesture of gratitude for the freedoms Americans enjoy. 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 and when volunteers say the name of a veteran out loud, when placing a wreath, it ensures they live on in our memory. For more information, visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

BISMARCK – The Bismarck Squadron Civil Air Patrol will continue to conduct the Wreaths Across America event as they have done in years past, but due to COVID-19 safety considerations, the squadron has had to make some adjustments to the traditional ways they have conducted this event over the past fourteen years.

Instead of a live, in-person ceremony at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery coinciding with ceremonies at over 2,200 sites across the nation; the squadron has pre-recorded a virtual WAA ceremony which will be posted at 11am on Dec 19th to the Wreaths Across America Bismarck Facebook Page.

The website address is https://www.facebook.com/WreathsAcrossAmericaBismarck. No ceremony will be conducted at the ND Vets Cemetery. This Facebook page should be accessible to anyone with or without a Facebook account.

“Having 2,000 people shoulder to shoulder at one time like we have had in past years just isn’t something we are going to do during a pandemic,” said Lt. Col. Kevin Iverson, of the Bismarck Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol.

National Wreaths Across America Day is simultaneously commemorated at 11am Central on Dec 19th at participating locations. The ND Vets Cemetery was one of the original 150 sites to participate in this annual event.

Over 7,000 wreaths will still be placed at the headstones, called markers, of all gravesites at the ND Vets Cemetery as in past years. The public is invited to participate in this part of the event, but is asked to cooperate with the below schedule in order to lessen the overall numbers of people at the cemetery at one time. Participants are also asked to adhere to state and local health guidelines. The schedule is:

 

  • 9am to 11am – those who sponsored wreaths to be placed on specific gravesites are invited to be at the ND Vets Cemetery to place wreaths on the markers of those they sponsored wreaths for
  • 11am to 1pm – the rest of the public is invited to help place wreaths on the markers of gravesites which do not have a wreath yet

 

“A pandemic won’t stand in the way of accomplishing our mission of Remembering the sacrifices of those who served in our Armed Forces, Honoring those who serve and sacrifice today, and Teaching our children that freedom has a price – but a life of freedom is priceless” said Lt. Col. Sean Johnson, North Dakota Wing Cap Chief of Staff for Missions. “We will simply have to take a different approach this time is all. We have been faced with blizzards, extreme cold, and wreaths which didn’t get here on time due to bad weather. In all instances the Civil Air Patrol adapted and overcame. This year is no different.”

 

The public is asked to place only one wreath per gravesite, and to break down cardboard boxes and place them in the dumpsters provided if they have taken the last wreath from a box. Due to Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters safety guidelines, only five CAP members will be present at one time at the event. Public cooperation with helping keep the cemetery clean, driving carefully inside the cemetery, and safely moving around the cemetery grounds and placing wreaths is appreciated.

 

Wreath shipping from Maine is donated by truck companies across the US, with Britton Trucking of Grand Forks making final delivery to North Dakota locations.

 

Those interested in finding out more on the Wreaths Across America program, Civil Air Patrol, and wreath sponsorship for future ceremonies can contact Bismarck CAP at BismarckCAP30@gmail.com. Information can also be found at https://nd030.cap.gov .