LANSING, Mich. - Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids (MVHGR) will lay more than 3,200 wreaths in the Veterans Memorial Cemetery to honor American heroes on National Wreaths Across America Day. The wreath-laying ceremony will begin at 12 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 2950 Monroe Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505. The event is open to volunteers and visitors can access the cemetery through the Lamberton Street NE entrance. Donuts, coffee and cocoa will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, more than two million volunteers participate in wreath-laying ceremonies at more than 4,900 locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad. While it's too late to sponsor a wreath to be delivered in time for this year's ceremony, you can visit the MVHGR Veterans Memorial Cemetery page to sponsor a wreath for delivery in 2025, MVHGR Wreath Sponsorship.

"We are grateful for the over 3,200 wreaths that were sponsored and the 300 people who signed up this year to volunteer their time by placing a wreath at each headstone in the cemetery," said Catherine Meintsma, volunteer location coordinator for the MVHGR Wreaths Across America event. "Our Grand Rapids community knows the value of remembering the fallen and honoring our service members and because of their continued support, our event continues to grow and reach new people each year."

The Wreath Laying Ceremony will include remarks by Ryan Engle, director of development and strategic engagement for MVH and Catherine Meinstsma. The West Michigan Chapter of the Michigan State Society of the Sons of the American Revolution will present the colors. Eight ceremonial wreaths will be placed at the entrance to the ceremony in memory of those who served and are serving in the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Merchant Marines and the more than 81,000 U.S. service members that remain listed as Prisoners of War or Missing in Action. Volunteers will begin the process of laying wreaths across the cemetery at the conclusion of the ceremony at approximately 12:30 p.m.

Media are invited to attend and should plan to be in place no later than 11:45 a.m. and RSVP to Michael Kroll at 517-285-9734 or [email protected].