Honoring our Nation's Heroes

• Access. Parking is available in the lots immediately outside of the cemetery gate. Due to safety concerns, vehicle access will be closed during the ceremony and wreath placement.

  The audience is asked to assemble (in a loose grouping) in front of the new Public Information Center building. Tents and chairs are not provided this year. We do hope, however, to have golf carts for visitors with ambulatory issues who wish to visit loved ones during the wreath placement.

• Dress for the weather. Remember: this is a rain or shine, sleet or snow event! As it was last year, winter…and Christmas…will again be upon us.

• But, we should always remember that for Veterans throughout our history, Christmas has often been spent far from home and their loved ones. Very often, soldiers have spent Christmas in conditions like the winter of 1777 at Valley Forge; and those who fought at Bastogne, during the Battle of the Bulge in WWII. Many died in places they had never heard of – in far-off jungles…desert sands…and in muddy trenches and frozen forests in Europe. They sacrificed their tomorrows so we could have today. But, after we place the wreaths, we will all go home and be safe and warm. They could not.

• Be patient. Remember…Wreaths Across America is run by volunteers who work hard behind the scenes to move things along as quickly and safely as possible.

• Take your time. Please pause at each headstone and say that veteran’s name out loud and thank them for their service before moving on. It is not a race to see how quickly we can place the wreaths. If there are not enough sponsored wreaths to honor every veteran at Mountain Home, we hope you will still take time to stop at headstones that do not have a wreath to say the Veteran’s name.

• Be respectful. Not only to each other. We are guests of the cemetery, so please abide by all cemetery policies and remember that you are walking on sacred, hallowed grounds.

• Remember – Honor – Teach. The event you will be participating in is happening all around the country at over 2,700 locations. Millions of Americans just like you have taken time out of the busiest of seasons to gather together in their community to offer a simple gesture of thanks to those who fought for our freedoms.

Lastly, wreath removal/cleanup will be Saturday, January 15, 2022, beginning about 9:00AM; again, rain or shine. As before, we will move the wreaths to the curb. From there, they will be picked up and taken to a dumpster.