Fort Riley will be hosting Wreaths Across America for the 12th time this Saturday, December 15.
The ceremony is held in conjunction with the Fourth District, State of Kansas, Veterans of Foreign Wars and VFW Auxiliary and will take place at the post cemetery at 11 a.m.
Beginning with the efforts of Morrill Worcester of the Worcester Wreath Company starting in 1992, Wreaths Across America has grown nationwide. Starting out just at Arlington National Cemetery, the occasion is now observed simultaneously in 1400 locations in all 50 states as well as at 24 national veteran cemeteries on foreign soil. The organization’s mission is to remind that “every stone has a story” and to teach younger generations about the “value of honoring those who sacrificed to protect America’s freedoms.”
Garrison Commander Col. Stephen Shrader is scheduled to speak and ceremonial wreaths will be placed for each of the branches of the armed forces, the Merchant Marines, Gold Star families and POWs/MIAs. Then wreaths will be placed on each individual military gravesite in the cemetery.
The ceremony is made possible thanks to volunteers and donations .
The event is open to the public. Visitors who do not have a Department of Defense ID card can get a pass at the Visitor Control Center near the Henry Gate, Exit 301 off of I-70. Under the Trusted Traveler Pilot Program, DOD ID cardholders may escort up to seven guests in a vehicle who do not have a DOD ID card or visitor pass. All guests 16 years of age and older in the Trusted Traveler vehicle must present a valid government-issued photo ID. For details about access procedures, call (785) 239-2982 or visit https://home.army.mil/riley/.
