The event at Centennial Park not only highlighted local efforts to honor veterans but also brought the community closer to the rich history and ongoing mission of WAA, particularly the significance of their annual wreath-laying ceremonies.
The exhibit provided attendees with interactive educational tools, video presentations, and firsthand stories about the lives impacted by veterans from all branches of the military. This event supports WAA’s mission pillars: Remember, Honor, and Teach. Locally, it complements the annual tradition of laying wreaths at Mount Peace Cemetery in St. Cloud, where community members pay homage to fallen heroes each December.
Wreaths Across America dates back to 1992 when Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Company of Harrington, Maine, initiated a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. This gesture of gratitude was inspired by Worcester’s childhood visit to Arlington, which left a lasting impression of the cemetery’s solemn beauty and the ultimate sacrifices of its heroes.
WWA gained significant public attention in 2005 through a viral photo of snowy wreaths at Arlington, leading to a nationwide movement to honor all American veterans with wreath-laying ceremonies across the country. By 2007, this effort formalized into the nonprofit organization, Wreaths Across America, with a mission to Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach younger generations about the sacrifices made for freedom.
The simple act of laying wreaths has grown into a national movement with events at over 3,700 locations, including cemeteries and memorials across all 50 states, involving more than 2 million volunteers. WAA’s activities culminate each December, including in St. Cloud, on National Wreaths Across America Day, ensuring that the memory of those who served is preserved for future generations.
In recent years, the organization’s reach has extended even further with the Mobile Education Exhibit, which travels across the country to promote veteran awareness and teach the principles of freedom and sacrifice embodied by the armed forces.
The Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit’s visit to St. Cloud represents a vital part of the organization’s outreach, helping to ensure that the legacy of veterans is not only remembered but also honored and taught year-round. Through these efforts, WAA continues to spread its heartfelt message across the nation: that the memory of America’s veterans should live on through the actions and knowledge of future generations.
For more information on how to participate or sponsor a wreath, visit the official Wreaths Across America website or contact the local chapter at Mount Peace Cemetery.
