Wreath Pickup Instructions

Wreath Volunteer Form for Groups and Individuals

We will try to accommodate volunteer preferences but need people who are willing to help in multiple roles.  We have over 2000 specific placement requests by family members which require locating the grave and respectfully placing the wreath.  The volunteer is given a list of 12 graves, usually in the same section, and a case of 12 wreaths.  These placements can take time.  Family members who are placing wreaths on their own loved ones graves may want to help here as these wreaths are laid before mass placement begins. 

Family Time Wreath Laying will begin at 7:30AM.  Mass Placement begins at 9AM and continues. Once 9 a.m. arrives, mass placement begins under the direction of a local Area or Section leader.  Specific placement rules vary by section.  Volunteers should help transport empty wreath cartons to the road and assist with loading them on vehicles or placing them in Recycling trailers. 

On Saturday January 18, 2025 the wreaths will be removed.  This normally begins at 8 a.m. and is finished before noon.  DoD ID is required to access the base on this date.

Keep in mind that the cemetery is spread over 100 acres requiring good walking ability for most roles. This is a rain or shine event, so dress for conditions. Wreaths are prickly and sticky with sap so gloves and long sleeves are recommended. This is a wonderful opportunity to Teach kids about sacrifice, patriotism, and the gratitude we owe to our veterans.

Please submit the form ONCE ONLY.
It is a large form and takes longer than average to process all the contents. 
Thank you.

 

FORM FOR 10 OR FEWER INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEERS

Full Name *
Email *
Phone Number *
Message *

DO YOU PLAN TO LAY YOUR FAMILY WHREATHS FIRST

DO YOU WANT TO HELP US WITH SPECIFIC REQUESTED PLACEMENTS

WE WANT TO HELP WITH MASS PLACEMENTS AFTER SPECIFIC AND FAMILY PLACEMENTS

WE WANT TO WORK AS A UNIT

WHICH SIDE DO YOU WANT TO HELP PLACE WREATHS

ARE YOU WILLING TO HELP PICK UP WREATHS IN JANUARY (DOD ACCES REQUIRED)

Volunteer form for Groups Above 10 Volunteers Form

Name *
E-mail *
Phone Number *
Organization (If Relevant)
Message *
Estimated Number of Volunteers *

We Plan To Lay Our Own Family's  Wreaths First

Do you want to help with specific grave placement for other family's requests (7:30-9am)

We want help with mass placement (after Specific Placement) After Specific Placements.

We want to work as a Unit when Possible

Part of the Cemetery you wish to work in

Are You willing to help with cleanup of Wreaths in January? DOD PASS REQUIRED

Volunteer Information

Security and Parking: Access to the cemetery on December 16, 2024 will be through the MAIN GATE ONLY.

All people in the vehicle 18 years and up must have BASE ACCESS ID as Requied on HOME PAGE out for the gate guards. Follow the instructions of the Traffic Monitors and Security personnel directing traffic.  Parking is available on both sides of the cemetery (see Traffic and Parking Map).  

Look For Old and New Side SIGNS with ARROWS.  

 If you don’t have a specific grave or directions involving the location of your volunteer group, go to the Historic/Old Side.  The need for volunteers is greater there.

Exit the base through the main gate on Navy Boulevard immediately after leaving the Cemetery.

General Parking: ON THE NEW SIDE please park along the Paved Access road exiting the cemetery or along John Towers Rd.  Park on the grass near the administration building ONLY if directed there by Cemetery employees.

 “All cars should park on the same side of the street and exit the Old Side from the Cemetery back gate.”  and must exit the Old Side from the Cemetery back gate.”.  Some parking within the old section is permitted, but traffic flow must not be restricted.  

Handicapped Parking: Only allowed on Cemetery Drive on the new side. This will be one-way traffic to allow dropping people near the site of the ceremony.  On the old side handicapped parking is allowed anywhere that does not obstruct traffic flow.  Please park on only one side of the road.   We may have some shuttle service available.

Schedule: 

A Formal Ceremony at 11:00 AM is planned and some seating will be available. Please give the handicapped or infirm right of first refusal on the seating. The ceremony begins at 11AM CST SHARP at the Memorial Plaza near the main cemetery administration building in the "New Section" and will last 30-45 minutes. 

Family Time Wreath Laying will begin at 7:30 AM for specific grave placement, please be respectful of Family Members Placing Wreaths for Loved Ones

Taps will be played on the loudspeaker at 9:00am sharp. 

DO NOT START MASS PLACEMENT UNTIL TAPS IS FINISHED!”

 

Mass Wreath Laying will begin at 9:00, will pause during the 11:00 AM ceremony, and will resume afterwards.

Wreath Pick up: "Kiwanis will have THREE TABLES set up on the cemetery grounds for wreath pickup for individuals who ordered from us or WAA and for specific pickup (PICKUP MAP CLICK HERE)

One will be for the New Side pickup near the Administration Building. As you face it, it will have a Large Kiwanis Flag and Orange table cloth.

The TWO HISTORIC SIDE pickups will be at the Entrance to the Columbarium on John Tower Road and By the Back Gate Next to Hovey Road.

 

Volunteer Information: Volunteer Info starts at 7:30.  We will have information tables set up near the wreath pickup tables. For individuals wishing to volunteer who are not part of a larger group, please report to the old side.

Wreath Laying Protocol: The cemeteries have been divided in to six areas with designated Area Monitors responsible for distributing wreaths for that section (see Pick Up Map). Look for their Orange Vests.

Involve children to help them learn to honor those who have sacrificed for their freedoms.

Pick up one or two wreaths from the Area Monitor and walk, do not run, to the gravesite. Straighten and “fluff” the red bow, place the wreath, bow on top, against the grave, quietly say the recipient’s name, salute and/or say “Thank you for your service”. VA and Wreaths Across America policy is to not place a wreath on a headstone with a Star of David unless specifically requested by the family.

IMPORTANT: To maximize the visual effect on the Old Side, wreaths are placed on every other grave. For instance, in row #1 place a wreath on grave 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, etc. In row #2, place a wreath on grave 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, etc. Be sure the wreath is placed on the Veteran’s side of the headstone

DO NOT REMOVE ANY WREATH ALREADY IN PLACE, EVEN IF THERE ARE SEVERAL ALL IN A ROW. These wreaths were laid by specific family request. Simply go to the next available grave and begin your alternating placement.

In the Columbarium and similar facilities, one wreath per column of urns is allowed.

These are fresh wreaths and can be sticky, so long sleeves and gloves are recommended.

Further Questions about Volunteering

Email our Volunteer Coordinator Marcia Sevold - BarrancasVolCoord@gmail.com