Aaron will be participating with volunteers in placing wreaths on veteran's graves.
Want to volunteer and lay wreaths alongside
Aaron and the team? Contact Kat ASAP.
We’d love to have you with us!
Kat:815-955-5950/kclement9@gmail.com
WREATH DAY PLANS
Saturday, Dec 13, 2025
11am – 1:30pm
Wreaths Across America at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Complex
Keep in mind the meaning behind the day. The Wreaths Across America mission is to:
Remember the fallen
Honor those who serve
Teach the next generation the importance of freedom
TIMELINE:
• Buses run from 8:30am – 1:30pm
• Buses will run the route in a loop, not on a schedule
• Ceremony 11am at the flag pole
• 11:30-ish Cemetery bells will chime at the end of the ceremony
• Attendees disburse to place wreaths and honor our heroes. NO WREATHS ARE PLACED BEFORE THIS TIME.
• There will be a BUS STOP by where you were initially dropped off to load up those going to the far hill, sections 20 – 28.
• Clean sweep will be made at the end of the event to catch stragglers who need a ride to the parking area
• Buses stop running at 1:30pm
PARKING/TRANSPORTATION
HANDICAP PLATE/HANG TAG MUST BE VISIBLE TO PARK INSIDE THE CEMETERY
• You will come in the main entrance.
• Follow the directions of the traffic attendants.
• Parking will be in the Welcome Center drive.
• There will be transportation up to the flagpole for the ceremony.
PARKING FOR ABLE-BODIED PERSONS IS AT
**SUGGESTED ARRIVAL TIME** 9:30 - 9:45. Better to sit in your car and wait to catch the bus than to miss the event.
Walmart Distribution Center Employee Parking
6452 Deer Run
Elwood
TRANSPORTATION INTO THE CEMETERY
Buses will pick up at one location in the lot, not drive around to cars picking people up. They will pick up at the lot as long as there are those needing rides.
Thank you everyone for understanding that safety is a legitimate concern. With the large number of pedestrians, cars are not allowed to drive around inside the cemetery.
WREATH GUARDS
They are your guides to all things wreaths! They will distribute wreaths and forms for grave-specific placement once the cemetery bells chime. Once ALL grave-specific are distributed for placement, they will distribute wreaths for ANY grave.
GRAVE SPECIFIC, SAID YOU'D PLACE YOURSELF BUT YOU CAN'T MAKE IT?
If no one comes to lay a grave specific wreath by NOON, we will have a volunteer place your wreath and honor your loved one.
FAMILY/FRIENDS (Placing wreaths yourself in the SAME section)
Go to that section and give the Wreath Guard the name of your Veteran/Spouse. Wreath
Guards will distribute a wreath to you.
Family/Friends/Groups (MULTIPLE wreaths sponsored)
• Go to the tent to the right of the flag pole/ceremony. They will have your forms.
• Take them, go to your sections, and speak to the Wreath Guards.
• Wreath Guards will distribute wreaths to you.
VOLUNTEERS
The mission of Wreaths Across America is Remember - Honor - Teach
Remember - We do this to remember those who have passed.
Honor - We do this to honor their sacrifices, service, and memory.
Teach - We do this to teach the next generation the value of freedom.
After the cemetery bells chime:
Go to a section and speak with the Wreath Guard. They will have forms for grave specific of those who are not able attend and place their own wreath. Those will need done BEFORE the Any Veteran wreaths are done. If there is a phone number on a grave specific form you've been given - text a photo to the number so they can see their wreath placed.
NEW ADDITION THIS YEAR
Take photos of ALL grave specific placements.
Each section of the cemetery will have it’s own QR code. Scan the QR code with your phone at your section. It will jump you to a website where you will upload your grave specific photos. No, you do NOT need to sign into anything or download an app to send a photo to the folder. If you help in multiple sections, scan that section’s QR code to upload your photos from that section.
Take your time when placing a wreath - Say their name. Acknowledge their service. Fluff the wreath. Straighten the bow. Take a moment or more to consider what you would want someone to do when visiting your loved one's resting place if you couldn't make it out yourself.
It's a big cemetery but it’s not a race to place wreaths. We appreciate you coming out to honor our heroes and pay them a visit at what is a special time of year for many families who aren't able to visit themselves.
FREE LUNCHEON/FUNDRAISER RAFFLES
After the event/wreath laying there will be a luncheon and raffles (all funds raised will go toward purchasing wreaths for next year). It takes place at Stone City VFW located at 124 Stone City Dr, Joliet. About 15 or so minutes north on Route 53.
LOCATION INFORMATION FB LINK to Event
ILALNE - Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery
20953 West Hoff Road
Elwood, IL 60421, United States
Veteran Graves: 68,000
Coverage Goal: 66,000
Wreaths So Far: 24,211
Ceremony On: December 13, 2025 at 11:00 am
Wreath Placement: Immediately Following Ceremony
Wreath Clean Up: January 17, 2026 at 08:00 AM
Location Coordinator: Michele Barnett, Dan Schliffka
