Wreaths Across America 2021

Wreaths Across America events were held on December 18 all over the United States, and Morrissett was proud to help facilitate our local event. Approximately 1,500 volunteers gathered at the Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Amelia to show their support and honor our veterans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,000 wreaths were delivered earlier in the week to Morrissett Funeral & Cremation Service, and our staff and other volunteers helped unload them. Then on the morning of the 18th a procession led by the Patriot Guard Riders, and escorted by local law enforcement, left Morrissett with the ceremonial wreaths and traveled from Chesterfield to the cemetery in Ameila.

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

Just after 12pm there was a brief ceremony that included the presenting of a wreath for each branch of military service as well as POWs and the Space Force. There was an invocation, the playing of the National Anthem, and the official script of the Wreaths Across America was read. There were also remarks from retired Chesterfield County Police Officer Joe Diman, Morrissett employee and the site coordinator for the event

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attendees were then each given a wreath to lay upon a grave, and they were asked to say aloud the name of the veteran as well as their branch of service. The wreaths are financed through donations, and many local civic groups and area businesses also joined in the fundraising efforts. This marks the third year in a row, thanks to the generosity of donors, that there were enough donations to ensure that there was a wreath for every burial site at the cemetery; approximately 5,000 in total.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The event was well attended, with hundreds of volunteers, veterans’ groups, school groups, and scouting troops joining together to help decorate the graves. Many family members of individuals who are laid to rest at the Veterans Cemetery were also present.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joe Diman, Wreaths Across America Coordinator for the Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Amelia, had this to say: “Over 1,500 volunteers paid their respects and immortalized over 5,000 of our nation’s heroes by speaking their name and laying a holiday wreath on their place of rest. Thank God for all of these brave individuals, and may they Rest In Peace.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Similar events were held on December 18 at 3,114 Veteran’s cemeteries across the United States, and over 2 million wreaths were placed in honor of the heroes who are buried there. This is an increase from the 1.7 million wreaths sponsored last year. According to Sean Sullivan, Wreaths Across America public relations liaison, the number of wreaths and locations grows each year. Sean says they are “amazed” every single year at the response. “The volunteers are the one who grow the program, we can’t take the credit. People are looking for something to feel good about in America. They see this as an opportunity to unite and to honor our nation’s veterans.”

The Morrissett family is proud to have the opportunity to help facilitate such an important event. We are grateful for the brave individuals who serve in the armed forces, and are glad to see them honored and remembered during the holiday season.

As 2021 draws to a close we want to wish you and yours a very Happy New Year.

 

Morrissett Funeral & Cremation Service
A Life Celebration Home

6500 Iron Bridge Rd.
Richmond, VA 23234

(804) 275-7828    info@morrissett.com