Owensboro groups are stepping up ahead of this year’s Wreaths Across America ceremony, working to secure enough wreaths to honor every local veteran during the nationwide remembrance on December 13. Organizers are still seeking a few hundred more wreath sponsorships in the next several days.
Both Owensboro Memorial Gardens and Resurrection Cemetery will take part in the national observance, which begins at 11 a.m. to coincide with wreath-layings at Arlington National Cemetery and sites across the country. The effort continues the organization’s mission to remember fallen veterans, honor those who served, and teach younger generations the value of freedom.
Volunteers are invited to participate, and sponsorships remain available for $17 each. Both cemeteries still need additional support to ensure every veteran is recognized.
Rachael Taylor with Owensboro Memorial Gardens said they have more than 1,700 veterans buried on their grounds, but still need roughly 1,200 more wreaths before the December 5 sponsorship deadline.
“We are privileged to host Wreaths Across America each year,” Taylor said. “It’s our duty to honor the sacrifices of the brave men and women resting in the Gardens and ensure their legacy is remembered by future generations.”
At Resurrection Cemetery, Cliff Russell said they expect to lay wreaths on at least 600 of the roughly 1,100 veterans’ graves, a sharp increase from the 200 covered last year.
“It started when a company had leftover wreaths and donated them to Arlington,” Russell said. “From there, it grew into this national initiative.”
Russell said all wreath-laying ceremonies begin with a short program to explain the meaning behind the event, and each veteran’s name is spoken aloud as their wreath is placed.
“It’s just a small gesture to honor those who were willing to give everything,” Russell said. “They may not have died in combat, but they were willing. That deserves to be remembered.”
Among the most inspiring efforts locally comes from Country Heights Elementary School, where students led a fundraiser that surpassed all expectations. Art teacher Barbara Poytner said the school’s student Lighthouse Team — made up of 4th- and 5th-grade leaders — set a goal of raising money for 25 wreaths. Instead, they collected enough to sponsor 70.
“This is a service-oriented school, and our kids take pride in helping others,” Poytner said. “They really embraced this project — not just by raising money, but by making it fun and meaningful.”
Students encouraged donations by allowing classmates to vote with their dollars for which teachers would receive a surprise onstage consequence — including pies in the face, glitter bombs, and being slimed — during the school’s student-run Monday Morning Meeting. The top five teachers “elected” by their peers will face their fates at the December 1 assembly.
“We have no idea what’s going to happen to us Monday,” Poytner laughed. “But it’s all in good fun, and it’s about motivating students to help honor our veterans.”
The initiative also included a challenge to other Daviess County elementary schools, though the timing prevented widespread adoption this year. Poytner said the students are already making plans to launch a district-wide challenge in 2026.
“These kids are passionate about making a difference, and they’re learning valuable leadership skills along the way,” she said. “They’ll also be going out to help lay wreaths on December 13. It’s really powerful to see them taking ownership of a cause like this.”
Those interested in sponsoring a wreath can visit wreathsacrossamerica.org or contact local cemeteries directly.
