The Jonathan Hardin Chapter, Inc., National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution is honored to participate a fourth year with Wreaths Across America (WAA), a national nonprofit whose year-long mission is to Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach our children the value of freedom, proudly announces its theme for 2025: “Keep Moving Forward.”

Each year, millions of volunteers and patriots gather in local, state, and national cemeteries across all 50 states and abroad, to pay tribute to our nation’s service members and their families. This year’s theme was inspired by the last words of Captain Joshua Byers, United States Army, KIA, in Fallujah, Iraq, July 23, 2003.

In 2024, we learned about ten bouquets that make up a veteran’s wreath. WAA believes these ten attributes or characteristics define our nation’s servicemembers – a symbol of honor, respect and victory. This poem was initially written by the organization’s founder, Morrill Worcester, for Mary and Lloyd Byers, Gold Star parents of Capt. Byers. It is only fitting that the theme for 2025 should reflect this same spirit, a call to action for our volunteers and supporters in the communities they serve.

Joshua Byers was the Company Commander of Fox Troop in the 2/3ACR service in Iraq in 2003 when an IED struck his Humvee. As the smoke filled the air, Josh gave his driver a last command: “…keep moving forward.” Though Josh didn’t make it home, this command saved lives and became a battle cry for his unit and family.

“There will always be challenges to overcome as individuals, communities and a country, but we must keep moving forward together,” said Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America.

Last year, over 650 veterans in Limestone and Freestone Counties were remembered with a wreath laid at their grave site. This year, the Jonathan Hardin Chapter, Inc., NSDAR is the sponsorship group for the following local locations: LaSalle and New Hope Cemeteries in Limestone County, and Salem, Wortham/Blind Lemon Memorial Cemeteries, and the Veterans Remembrance Park Teague in Freestone County. National Wreaths Across America Day will be held this year on Saturday, December 13, 2025. This free event is open to all, and the organization encourages community members to participate by volunteering locally or sponsoring a wreath for an American hero.

Volunteers tirelessly work year-round to Remember, Honor, and Teach, with each name spoken out loud in grateful acknowledgment of the sacrifices made by our veterans for our freedoms. WAA has many tools available to carry out their mission of teaching our youth the value of freedom. Outstanding curriculum plans for annual patriotic events are developed for kindergarten through 12th Grade. These are posted on their website: www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/resources/educationalresources.

For more information about locations, wreath sponsorships, and volunteering, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/TX1128P.

 

About Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, which was begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s yearling mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December in communities in all 50 states and beyond. 

For more information or to sponsor a wreath, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.