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At noon Eastern time in Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday, Dec. 14, a ceremony started that rippled across the United States and around the world.
For the second year, that ceremony also took place at Keenan Cemetery, where 117 veterans are buried. American Legion Auxiliary Unit 597 organized the event at Keenan Cemetery and raised the funds to lay a wreath on every veteran’s headstone.
“We’re not here to decorate their graves. We’re here to … honor their lives,” said Kim Christman, who serves on the Farmers Branch Historical Preservation & Restoration Board, which oversees Keenan Cemetery.
At the American flagpole, Joe Johnson laid a wreath for those who have served and are serving in the U.S. Army. Jeremy Gudgel laid a wreath for the U.S. Marine Corps. Ray Larry laid one for the U.S. Navy. Randy Bottomly laid a wreath for the U.S. Space Force. Rick Christman laid a wreath for the U.S. Coast Guard. Kyle Potts laid a wreath for the U.S. Merchant Marines, and Phil Ray laid a wreath for prisoners of war and those missing in action.
After the short ceremony, volunteers laid wreaths on the headstone of every veteran, pausing to say that person’s name.
The purpose of the Wreaths Across America organization is to “remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach the next generation the value of freedom.”
Keenan Cemetery was one of more than 4,600 participating locations in all 50 states, abroad and at sea.
National Wreaths Across America Day will be held Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 597 has already started fundraising to purchase next year’s wreaths for the veterans at Keenan Cemetery.
