Wreaths Across America honors veterans in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — This holiday season, Taylorsville Youth Council and the city are taking part in National Wreaths Across America Day. The youth council selected the Wreaths Across America initiative as its holiday service project this year. 

Each year the nonprofit, Wreaths Across America, coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at over 3,400 locations across the United States, at sea, and abroad. The ceremonies take place on one day during the month of December.

This year ceremonies took place on December 17, 2022. 

At the Taylorsville City Cemetery, 225 wreaths were laid on veterans’ graves. Taylorsville High School JROTC and a local nonprofit, Honor365, and community members also attended the wreath laying. 

Although only 225 wreaths were needed, the youth group received sponsorship from the community of 440 wreaths. Therefore, at next year’s ceremony, only 70 wreaths are needed. 

Each wreath is hand-crafted with a red velvet bow in Columbia Falls, Maine. Then, wreaths get sent to participating locations. 

“We are so honored to participate and thank all those who sponsored a remembrance wreath,” said Mayor Kristie Overson. “Through their generosity, we have surpassed our goal and will be able to place wreaths for every veteran as we had hoped. We anticipate that the ceremony will be meaningful and moving, and that laying the wreaths and saying each veteran’s name will be a highlight of the holidays.”

Wreaths Across America in Utah doesn’t stop there

In addition to Taylorsville’s ceremony, one took place at the Salt Lake Veterans Cemetery as well. In a release from Wreaths Across America, it said 2,200 local veterans are at rest at the cemetery. 

“We are so grateful to the good people of this wonderful community for participating in our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach,” said Robin Gochnour, Salt Lake Coordinator of Wreaths Across America. 

Also, Gochnour said this ceremony is a great way for parents to educate children on the service and sacrifices veterans make for our country. 

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