A solemn and beautiful local tradition was begun in Johnstonville this past Saturday, as the Susanville Soaring Eagle Blue Star Moms led the local observance of National Wreaths Across America Day.
Gathered at Diamond Crest Cemetery, community members, veterans, and families joined together on a crisp December morning to ensure that the sacrifices of individual servicemen and women were not forgotten. The ceremony at Diamond Crest was one of nearly 5,600 participating locations nationwide where volunteers paused to honor the fallen.
“It was our great honor to be a part of the Wreaths Across America program this year,” explains local Blue Star Mom President Becky Neely, who talked about all the help that was needed to make the event possible.
“It would not have happened without the truck driver who volunteered his time to deliver the wreaths, and Laura Roberts from Country Pine Quilt Shop for the use of her parking lot to deliver them and Milwood Florist for loaning us the use of the tripods for the Ceremonial Wreaths.”
“Community volunteers, 4-H, Lassen Cougar Baseball Team, VFW, American Legion, Jeremy Couso, for all your help setting up, helping during the ceremony and placing the wreaths, we thank you. A big thank you to everyone who sponsored wreaths, we truly appreciate the community support.”
A Mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach
While the national scope of the event is massive – with over 3.1 million wreaths placed across the country on Saturday – the feeling in Johnstonville was intimate and personal.
For the Blue Star Moms, this annual event is about more than just decoration; it is an act of remembrance. The core of the Wreaths Across America mission is simple yet profound: Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom.
“The wreaths laid today serve as a powerful gesture that unites communities, families, and even generations. It serves as an opportunity to learn about the men and women who served and sacrificed to protect our freedom.” — Karen Worcester, Executive Director of Wreaths Across America
Saying Their Names
One of the most poignant moments of the ceremony involves the “living memorial” aspect of the wreaths. Volunteers are encouraged to say the name of the veteran aloud as they place the wreath on the grave.
The tradition holds that a person dies twice: once when they take their final breath, and later, the last time their name is spoken. By speaking these names into the winter air at Diamond Crest, the community ensures these local heroes live on in hearts and memories.
A Nationwide Tribute
Saturday’s event in Johnstonville was mirrored by millions of volunteers across the United States. From Arlington National Cemetery, where 30,000 volunteers placed wreaths on 265,000 graves, to our own Diamond Crest, the message was unity.
The fresh evergreens used in the wreaths symbolize honor and serve as a living tribute, renewed annually.
The Susanville Soaring Eagle Blue Star Moms extended their gratitude to the sponsors and volunteers who made the local ceremony possible, helping to teach local children – who made up a third of the national volunteer force this year – about the cost of liberty.
For more information on the year-long mission, visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.
