Close Menu
  • Home
  • COMMUNITY NEWS
  • LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS
  • SCHOOL NEWS
  • MILITARY NEWS
  • CRIME / PUBLIC SAFETY
  • THINGS TO DO
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
  • HOME & GARDEN
  • NORTHWEST FLORIDA NEWS
  • FLORIDA NEWS
  • Contact
Facebook
Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Niceville.com
Niceville.com
Home»COMMUNITY NEWS»Wreaths to be placed on nearly 800 veterans’ graves in Niceville, Valparaiso
COMMUNITY NEWS

Wreaths to be placed on nearly 800 veterans’ graves in Niceville, Valparaiso

Niceville.comDecember 2, 2022Updated:December 6, 20223 Mins Read
wreath across america
National Wreaths Across America Day is December 17, 2022. (Contributed)

NICEVILLE, Fla. — On December 17, Christmas wreaths will be placed on the graves of nearly 800 veterans at Heritage Gardens Funeral Home & Cemetery in Niceville and Sunset Cemetery in Valparaiso as part of National Wreaths Across America Day.

Advertisement

The community is invited to honor our local fallen heroes by attending one of the two special local wreath-laying ceremonies at the cemeteries or volunteering on Wreaths Day, said Dora Carrano of Niceville, the local organizer for the event.

Each December, on National Wreaths Across America Day, Wreaths Across America coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 2,500 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea, and abroad.

This is the first year of wreath-laying at the cemeteries in Niceville and Valparaiso, Carrano said.

“By bringing Wreaths Across America to our area, it gives me, and others within the community, the opportunity to honor our local veterans, their service, and their sacrifice,” she said.

The ceremonies in our community will both be held on Dec. 17, beginning at 11 a.m.

The keynote speaker at Sunset Cemetery is Brig. Gen. Jeffrey T. Geraghty, Commander, 96th Test Wing, Air Force Materiel Command, Eglin Air Force Base. The keynote speaker at Heritage Gardens is Col. Frederick “Trey” Coleman III, Commander, 505th Command and Control Wing, Hurlburt Field.

Advertisement

Each ceremony will be followed by wreath-laying, Carrano said.

In 2021, more than 2.4 million veterans’ wreaths were placed by volunteers on headstones at 3,137 participating locations around the country in honor of the service and sacrifices made for our freedoms, with each name said out loud.

The theme for the 2022 National Wreaths Across America Day is “Find a way to serve.”

Advertisement

As of now, it appears there will be 777 local veterans’ graves decorated with wreaths: 245 at Sunset Cemetery and 532 at Heritage Gardens. The wreaths are sponsored by donations from family and friends of fallen heroes, individuals, and businesses and through numerous local fundraising events organized by Carrano and supporters of the local effort.

In all, there are more than 1,100 veterans’ graves in the two local cemeteries. Those not receiving wreaths will be marked with an American flag, Carrano said.

The Ceremony:
The ceremony will open with a moment of silence, followed by local speakers, music, and the laying of wreaths. Everyone in attendance is encouraged to take a wreath and lay it on a veteran’s grave. The ceremony will last approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Advertisement

Ceremony Time:
The ceremony begins promptly at 11 a.m. to coincide with Arlington National Cemetery. All those attending the ceremony should be there 15 minutes prior to start time. If you are volunteering, you should arrive one hour prior to start time.

Volunteers:
Some volunteer positions are still available and may include wreath layers and wreath clean-up. Also, active-duty military members and veterans may be needed to help with ceremonial wreaths (approximately eight individuals needed). The ceremonial wreaths represent Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Space Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, & POW/MIA.

Sunset Cemetery is on Live Oak Avenue in Valparaiso. Heritage Gardens Funeral Home & Cemetery is at 2201 Partin Drive North in Niceville.

Advertisement
A square digital ad for Midbay Veterinary Hospital with multiple dogs of different breeds, a blue veterinary cross logo, Dr. Maya Chapman’s contact information, and a “Click” button for scheduling an appointment.

For more information on how to volunteer locally or sponsor a wreath for an American hero, please visit: www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/FLHGFH (to support Heritage Gardens) or www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/FLSUNC (to support Sunset Cemetery).

Carrano can be reached at wreathsacrossamerica850@gmail.com.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Previous ArticlePensacola repeat offender sentenced to 26 years in prison
Next Article Okaloosa, Walton traffic advisory for road, lane closures

Related Posts

Top of EmpowerHER Self-Defense flyer featuring logos and event title

Free self-defense class for women, teen girls set for July 12 in Niceville

June 30, 2025
2025 Niceville Fourth of July fireworks event poster with date and time

Niceville July 4th fireworks 2025 to light up Boggy Bayou at 8:45

June 26, 2025
2025 Niceville Sunset Stampede 5k and 2.5k Glow Run/Walk event graphic

Sunset Stampede 5k set for July 25 to support Niceville runners

June 26, 2025
Advertisement
A square digital ad for Midbay Veterinary Hospital with multiple dogs of different breeds, a blue veterinary cross logo, Dr. Maya Chapman’s contact information, and a “Click” button for scheduling an appointment.
Categories
  • COMMUNITY NEWS
  • CRIME / PUBLIC SAFETY
  • FLORIDA NEWS
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
  • HOME & GARDEN
  • IT'S GEEK TO ME
  • LARRY WILLIAMS
  • LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS
  • MARKETPLACE NEWS
  • MILITARY NEWS
  • NORTHWEST FLORIDA NEWS
  • OUTDOORS
  • ROADS / TRANSPORTATION
  • SCHOOL NEWS
  • THINGS TO DO
Advertisement
A square digital ad for Midbay Veterinary Hospital with multiple dogs of different breeds, a blue veterinary cross logo, Dr. Maya Chapman’s contact information, and a “Click” button for scheduling an appointment.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
  • EGLIN FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
  • EYEWEAR UNLIMITED
  • HAIR EXPRESS
  • MIDBAY VETERINARY HOSPITAL
  • NICEVILLE FARMERS MARKET
  • NICEVILLE INSURANCE AGENCY
  • RUCKEL PROPERTIES, INC.
  • THE WHARF 850
Advertisement
Smiling couple holding Eglin Federal Credit Union Mastercard with promotional rate
Categories
  • COMMUNITY NEWS
  • CRIME / PUBLIC SAFETY
  • FLORIDA NEWS
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
  • HOME & GARDEN
  • IT'S GEEK TO ME
  • LARRY WILLIAMS
  • LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS
  • MARKETPLACE NEWS
  • MILITARY NEWS
  • NORTHWEST FLORIDA NEWS
  • OUTDOORS
  • ROADS / TRANSPORTATION
  • SCHOOL NEWS
  • THINGS TO DO
Advertisement
Advertisement
A horizontal digital banner for Midbay Veterinary Hospital featuring a dog and a cat, a blue veterinary cross logo, contact details for Dr. Maya Chapman, and a call-to-action button that says "Click" to make an appointment

ABOUT NICEVILLE.COM

PRIVACY POLICY

TERMS OF SERVICE

© 2025 Niceville.com. All Rights Reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.