The prospect of cold, windy and snowy conditions this upcoming weekend have prompted Wreaths Across America local organizers to postpone plans for wreath pickup this upcoming weekend.
Forecast highs in the mid-teens, along with wind chills near zero and at least light snowfall accumulations have pushed the event, officially called a wreath retirement ceremony, to noon Jan. 31.
2 pm Monday: Wreath retirement ceremony Saturday for Wreaths Across America
Following the 2025 Wreaths Across America Ceremony, which saw a significant contingent of community volunteers step up to place more than 2,000 wreaths throughout Maplewood Memorial Lawn Cemetery last month, organizers are seeking another strong turnout for wrap-up activities this weekend.
The official wreath retirement day is scheduled to take place on Saturday at the cemetery, with pickup beginning at noon. Lead organizer Scott Burenheide, a guest of KVOE’s Morning Show on Monday, says no registration or sign-up is needed to participate in the retirement activities.
As KVOE News has reported previously, this year’s wreath effort achieved 100 percent coverage across the cemetery with every veteran headstone receiving a wreath. During last month’s wreath ceremony, Burenheide told KVOE News that 100 percent coverage will now be the expectation for years to come.
On that note, Burenheide tells KVOE News that organizers are already off to a great start in preparing for the 2026 event.
Organizers have told KVOE News previously that 100 percent cemetery coverage is something that often takes communities of equal size to Emporia a decade or more to achieve, making the local accomplishment all the more impressive, as the community achieved the goal in just three years. The retirement day activities will be weather contingent, as there are chances for snowfall in the forecast Saturday.
For updates or more information on activites find the wreath retirement/pick up event on Facebook or contact the American Legion.
For more information on Wreaths Across America or how you can become involved, visit WreathsAcrossAmerica.org.
