Honoring Heroes Across the Nation — and Here in Heber Valley
Every December, a profound and simple act takes place across American cemeteries and veterans’ memorials: wreaths are laid on the graves of those who served. This annual tradition is organized by the nonprofit Wreaths Across America, whose mission can be summed up in three words: Remember. Honor. Teach. (wreathsacrossamerica.org)
Origins and History
The roots of Wreaths Across America date back to 1992 when Morrill Worcester, owner of the Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine, found himself with a surplus of balsam-fir holiday wreaths. He chose to donate 5,000 of them to be placed on graves in the older section of Arlington National Cemetery, inspired by a childhood trip there.
As word spread, a photo of snowy gravestones adorned with wreaths went viral in 2005, sparking a nationwide movement. In 2007, Wreaths Across America was officially established as a nonprofit, and by 2008 more than 300 locations across all 50 states participated. Today, millions of wreaths are placed each December at thousands of sites in the U.S. and abroad.
Heber Valley Ceremony
Here in Heber Valley, our community proudly participates in this national tribute. The 2025 Wreaths Across America ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 10 a.m. at the Heber City Cemetery. The ceremony will be conducted by the Wasatch High School JROTC program, whose students lead the event with reverence and precision.
Last year, 400 wreaths were placed on veterans’ graves in the Heber City Cemetery. This year, after discovering more veterans resting in our local grounds, organizers hope to receive 550 wreaths — and you can help them reach that goal.
For only $17, you can sponsor a wreath to honor a veteran’s service and sacrifice. Donations must be made by November 27, and all contributions are tax deductible.
To participate:
- Visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.
- Click on the “Location & Group Search” option.
- Search for our local Heber City project.
- Select the Sponsor tab to make your donation.
For more information, you can email [email protected].
The Mission: Remember, Honor, Teach
At the heart of Wreaths Across America’s work is its three-part mission:
- Remember the fallen by saying their names and placing a wreath in their honor.
- Honor those who serve by volunteering and participating in local ceremonies.
- Teach the next generation the value of freedom through acts of remembrance and gratitude.
The Wasatch High School JROTC program embodies this mission beautifully — teaching students the importance of leadership, service, and community as they pay tribute to those who came before them.
Why It Matters
The power of Wreaths Across America lies in its ability to bring people together — veterans, families, students, and neighbors — in a shared moment of gratitude. Standing among rows of wreath-adorned headstones, one feels both the weight of sacrifice and the warmth of community.
“The very idea of it strips away everything that might make someone different… it’s just people honoring the fallen and their service.”
This simple yet moving gesture ensures that no veteran is ever forgotten, and that their service continues to inspire new generations in the Heber Valley and beyond.
Get Involved
Whether you volunteer, sponsor a wreath, or simply attend the ceremony, your participation helps keep this tradition alive. Join us on December 13, 2025, at 10 a.m. in the Heber City Cemetery, and be part of a nationwide movement that reminds us all what it means to Remember, Honor, and Teach.
