Over 600 volunteers gathered on December 16 to lay wreaths on graves at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, Missouri, the nearest national facility in the area.
According to Wreaths Across America fundraiser Ed Reis, despite the cooler temperatures and sprinkling rain, this was the largest turnout ever at the Higginsville location.
“It was a spectacular sight to see all the volunteers who came to lay wreaths on the graves of over 3,800 members of the armed forces buried at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville,” said Reis.
Geni Harms, Cole Camp, and her family were volunteers.
"My dad was buried there in October, as an Army veteran," Harms said. "Our family started following the cemetery's Facebook page and learned of the opportunity to help out."
Reis, an 80 year old veteran himself, started working on the local Wreaths Across America project six years ago when they only had enough funds for 200 wreaths.
“We are so pleased that we have been able to raise enough money to put a wreath on every veteran’s grave and this year we did it in 15 minutes because of all the wonderful volunteers,” he said.
"Seeing everyone from small kids to retired WWII veterans all gathered to show respect to our nation's best was the most impressive thing to see," Harms added. "Even though the weather was less than ideal with the cold, drizzling rain, it was heartwarming to know that every veteran would be honored."
As part of the program prior to the actual wreathing of the graves, members of the Lafayette County C-1 High School FFA chapter placed specially designed wreaths for the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, Space Force and POW/MIA's. Other current and former military personnel also addressed the large crowd in attendance.
Harms commented, "My kids, who are 9 and 6, placed wreaths at several graves, and at each site, we said the name of the veteran aloud and thanked them for their service. One of the speakers at the program had encouraged doing so and suggested that as long as their name's are spoken, their sacrifices will never be forgotten. I loved being able to share the patriotism with my kids and family, especially since love for country was so important to my dad."
Wreaths Across America is a project in which all veteran’s graves across the country have a wreath placed on them at exactly the same time. On December 16, wreaths were placed on graves at noon Eastern Time, at 11:00 AM Central Time, 10:00 AM Mountain Time and 9:00 AM Pacific Time.
In 2023, it was projected that over 2,700,000 wreaths were placed nationwide by over 2 million volunteers and supporters as part of the Wreaths Across America mission to Remember, Honor and Teach.
The Wreaths Across America story began over 28 years ago when the Worcester Wreath Company from Harrington, Maine initiated a tradition of donating and placing wreaths on the headstones of the nation’s fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery. Recognition of the service and sacrifice of the veterans and their families is especially poignant during the traditional holiday season.
Worcester Wreath Company continues to be a major supporter of the project. Wreaths are sponsored by individuals, businesses and groups from communities nationwide. Wreaths will be placed in all 50 states from Maine to Alaska and Hawaii, and at 24 national cemeteries on foreign soil.
The cost to sponsor a wreath is $17; however, if purchased through the Wood and Huston Bank fundraising page, the cemetery is given a free wreath for every two wreaths purchased. To support next year’s program, contact any of the Wood and Huston Banks in Marshall, Higginsville or Sedalia or go to their sponsorship page at https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/mo0083.
"The ceremony and volunteer turnout was just really great," Harms concluded. "I had no idea what to expect as a first time volunteer, but it is definitely something that I will be a part of again."
From the initial concept of a Veterans Cemetery program, one operational philosophy has remained constant; to honor veterans for their service and sacrifice. With that goal in mind, the Missouri Veterans Commission has created a network of Veterans cemeteries so that every Missouri Veteran will have reasonable access to a Veterans cemetery. At this time, five cemeteries are in operation: Springfield, Higginsville, Bloomfield, Ft. Leonard Wood, and Jacksonville. In addition, the sixth cemetery at Missouri Veterans Home - St. James is not open to new interments.
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