HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West in Hopkinsville will be participating in the National Wreaths Across America Day on Dec. 13. On this day, more than 2 million volunteers and supporters around the United States will gather thousands of locations to honor fallen veterans.

At 11 a.m. on Saturday, a service will be held at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West. Families with loved ones laid to rest there can lay a wreath on their grave starting at 8 a.m. until the service begins. Volunteers will ensure that all of the over 5,000 graves on the 99-acre Hopkinsville facility have a wreath by the end of the day.

Wreaths Across America 2025 theme, symbolism

Wreaths Across America is a national nonprofit whose year-long mission is to Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach children the value of freedom, according to a news release from WAA. The theme for 2025 is “Keep Moving Forward,” inspired by the last words of Captain Joshua Byers. He was the Company Commander of Fox Troop in the 2/3ACR service in Iraq in 2003 when an IED struck his Humvee. As the smoke filled the air, Josh gave his driver a last command: “…keep moving forward.”

“There will always be challenges to overcome as individuals, communities and a country, but we must keep moving forward together,” said Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America in a news release. “This year, we will share not only the Byers’ story of resilience but also the stories of many others who continue to live with purpose every day and have chosen to keep moving forward.”

Each wreath is packed with symbolism by design. The evergreen represents longevity and endurance, the red bow is the great sacrifice, the forest scent is for purity and simplicity, and the circular shape represents eternity. Wreaths also contain 10 balsam bouquets representing the 10 special qualities veterans embody. These are belief, love, strength, honesty, humility, ambitions, optimism, concern, pride, and hopes and dreams.

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