The fourth annual Wreaths Across America Emporia ceremony is just over a month away and organizers are nearing the finish line when it comes to raising the needed number of wreaths to honor all departed veterans for the second consecutive year.
According to lead organizer Scott Burenheide (Burn-High-Dee) during a recent appearance on KVOE’s Morning Show Wednesday, the goal for this year’s ceremony is 2,477 wreaths and they are just near it thanks to a recent challenge that went out from American Legion Riders.
With just over 500 wreaths remaining to reach 100 percent coverage yet again, Burenheide encouraged residents to get their donations or pledges in within the next few weeks, noting the cutoff date is December 1. Once the wreaths are gathered, the annual ceremony will take place December 19th at 9 am on the west lawn of Maplewood Memorial Lawn Cemetery, followed by the placing of the wreaths on veterans’ graves. Burenheide stated during his interview with KVOE News that they are, as always, still seeking volunteers for placing the wreaths and noted there will be a slight change in the process from last year.
Also on Wednesday, Burenheide explained how a simple gesture at his place of employment years ago led to the start of the local Wreaths Across America effort back in 2023.
The 2025 Wreaths Across America effort was the first locally to reach 100 percent coverage of veteran graves, with community members helping to provide more than 2,300 wreaths after just placing only 600 the year before and holding only the ceremony during the inaugural effort in 2023. If you would like to contribute to the 2026 Wreaths Across America effort, you can find more information at WreathsAcrossAmerica.org.
