Each December, Rest Haven Memorial Park is transformed by a beautiful and meaningful tradition: Wreaths Across America. The sight of evergreen wreaths adorned with red bows and placed at the graves of our nation’s veterans is one of the most moving sights of the Christmas season.
This year marks 35 years since the tradition that became Wreaths Across America began. The story began in 1992 with Morrill Worcester, owner of the Worcester Wreath Company in Maine. At age 12, he won a trip to Washington, D.C., where a visit to Arlington National Cemetery left a lasting impression. Years later, faced with a surplus of wreaths, he recalled that visit and recognized an opportunity to honor our nation’s veterans.
With assistance from Maine Senator Olympia Snowe and numerous volunteers, the wreaths were placed on graves in an older section of Arlington National Cemetery that received fewer visitors. The observance included a special ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The tradition continued quietly for years. In 2005, photographs of wreaths covering the snow-covered grounds at Arlington gained national attention. Communities across the country wanted to create similar tributes. In 2007, the Worcester family established Wreaths Across America as a nonprofit organization with the mission to remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and teach the next generation the value of freedom.
What began with one man and a surplus of wreaths has grown into a nationwide movement. Wreaths Across America came to Rest Haven Memorial Park in 2015, largely through the vision and dedication of Capt. Mary Kay Starnes. When Capt. Starnes approached us about bringing the program to Rest Haven, we were honored to become a participating cemetery.
For the next 10 years, Capt. Starnes championed the program, helping grow it into a cherished Rockwall tradition. Through her leadership, local organizations, businesses, families, and volunteers joined together each year to remember the veterans resting in our care. This year marks a new chapter as Kathy DiNuovo assumes leadership of Rest Haven’s Wreaths Across America program, continuing the tradition Capt. Starnes worked so faithfully to build. We are grateful to them both for their dedication.
Our goal is simple: to place a wreath at every veteran’s grave at Rest Haven. Today, more than 1,100 veterans are laid to rest here, each representing a life, a family, and a story of service and sacrifice. For me, the wreaths throughout our cemetery mean much more than their beauty. The evergreen itself seems especially fitting. Even in winter, it remains green. Although the veterans resting in our care have gone, their service, their sacrifice, their memories, and the freedoms they fought to protect remain evergreen.
Please join us at Rest Haven Memorial Park on Saturday, December 19, 2026. The ceremony begins at 11:00 a.m., followed by the placement of veterans’ wreaths throughout the cemetery. You can sponsor a wreath, volunteer to place wreaths, or simply come and be part of this meaningful day.
For more information, visit Wreaths Across America at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.
Together, we can ensure that those who served are never forgotten.
Remember. Honor. Teach.
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