National nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA) announced last week that Mount Pleasant Cemetery in New Franklin will join in the mission to Remember, Honor, Teach as an official location for 2024. This is the first year a cemetery in Howard County will participate in this national program and the first year Howard County Chapter, of the Daughters of the American Legion (DAR) will be a sponsor group. 

Wreaths Across America started as a simple gesture of thanks that has grown into a national, yearlong movement of dedicated volunteers and communities that come together to not only remember the nation’s fallen and honor their service, but to teach the next generation about the value of freedom. This year, more than 4,225 participating locations will place veterans’ wreaths on National Wreaths Across America Day, on Saturday, Dec. 14, when more than 3 million volunteers coming together.

The goal for Mount Pleasant Cemetery is to raise enough funds to place 250 sponsored veterans’ wreaths on the headstones of all the local heroes laid to rest there, to ensure that the individuals who served to protect the freedoms of our country never be forgotten, and to bring the community together in patriotic commemoration.

Those interested in volunteering for Wreaths Across America or sponsoring a wreath for Mount Pleasant Cemetery are invited to visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/MOMPCT. National Wreaths Across America Day is a free community event open to all people.