Wreaths Across America

Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer

Bloomfield, Missouri – Saturday morning every grave at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield will have a wreath.  For six years, people, businesses, and churches in Stoddard County have contributed money to make sure each and every gravesite will have a beautiful wreath.

Tomorrow morning beginning at 11:00 a.m. more than 2,000 wreaths will arrive and be placed on the graves.  You can participate! 

Ken Swearengin, director of the Veterans Cemetery said, “Wreaths Across America will have Randy Dunn as master of ceremonies while ceremonial wreaths for each branch of the military will be placed as memorials.  Army, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy, Merchant Marines and POW/MIA veterans will be honored for their sacrifice.”

Wreath Across America is a non-profit organization and formed as an extension of the Arlington Wreath Project.  Arlington will conduct their ceremonies at the same time as Bloomfield.

No matter the weather tomorrow, rain, sleet or snow the wreaths will be placed on veterans’ graves.   It will be a powerful image: a veteran’s headstone and an evergreen wreath wrapped in red ribbon.  It’s an honor to participate.  It’s a time of remembrance and a kind gesture of gratitude.

Please come out and honor those who have given so much.  The public is encouraged to attend the ceremony beginning at 11:00 a.m.