National Wreaths Across America Day is Saturday, Dec. 14. More than two million volunteers and supporters will gather to “remember, honor and teach” at more than 4,000 participating locations in all 50 states, at sea, and abroad.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2618, the CPT Daniel D Entrican Post, will help at Riverwood Memorial Park to remember and honor veterans by laying remembrance wreaths on the graves of the nation’s fallen heroes. 

“Please help us honor and remember as many fallen heroes as possible by sponsoring remembrance wreaths, volunteering on Wreaths Day, or inviting your family and friends to attend with you,” the Brookhaven VFW group posted. 

As of Wednesday, Dec. 4, 252 wreaths out of a goal of 300 had been sponsored. 

Each year, a passing of the wreaths ceremony takes place at Walmart Distribution Center in Brookhaven. Thousands of the green balsam wreaths — assembled in Maine and hand-tied with red velvet bows — will arrive in Brookhaven in Walmart tractor-trailer trucks. After the service, the trucks will be escorted toward their next stop by a Troop M Mississippi Highway Patrol trooper, and members of the Patriot Guard Riders on motorcycles.

Some of the wreaths will remain in the Lincoln County area, while others will travel on to Opelousas, Louisiana, Houston, Texas, and other places in Mississippi. One wreath will be placed on the Lincoln County Veterans Memorial in front of the Lincoln County/Brookhaven Government Complex, in memory of Brookhaven Police officers Kevin White and Zach Moak. One will be taken to the MHP Memorial in Jackson. A third wreath was accepted in honor of current Armed Forces members and their families. A final wreath will be placed in downtown Brookhaven on the memorial marker of Lt. Danny D. Entrican.

The Wreaths Across America organization began in 1992 and has since developed into the nation’s largest military parade. Its purpose is to honor the memories of slain service men and women, and to educate the next generation about military sacrifice.

Anyone who would like to sponsor a wreath can do so at a cost of $17 each. Sponsorships can be purchased through Riverwood Family Funeral Service or Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2618, both in Brookhaven, or online at wreathsacrossamerica.org. Wreaths can be sponsored in honor or memory of a specific veteran, or sponsored to be laid on the gravesite of any veteran.

In 2023, more than 3 million sponsored wreaths were placed by volunteers on headstones at 4,225 participating locations worldwide.

This year on Dec. 14, Riverwood Family Funeral Service in Brookhaven will host a noon ceremony, followed by wreath laying in Riverwood Memorial Park.