Wreaths Across America Set To Honor Military Veterans
Wreath-Laying Ceremony, December 16, 2023 at Tonaquint Cemetery.
To honor those who have served our country and educate others on the meaning of our military members’ sacrifices, the Color Country Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution will host the annual Wreaths Across America ceremony on Dec. 16 at 10 AM at the City of St. George’s Tonaquint Cemetery (1777 S. Dixie Drive).
Gold Star Mother Bronwyn Mount, whose son Bryan “Cooper” Mount was killed while serving in the U.S. Army in 2020, will be the keynote speaker.
“Anyone who remembers seeing the packed streets of downtown St. George, filled with people waiting to pay their respects to Cooper Mount, knows this is a community that reveres its military veterans,” said Mayor Michele Randall. “This year’s Wreaths Across America event is a great opportunity to show appreciation for the sacrifices they have made.”
For the past 12 years, a Wreaths Across America ceremony has been held at Tonaquint Cemetery on the third Saturday of December, followed by wreath laying assisted by scores of volunteers. These wreaths cover the graves of hundreds of military members whose final resting place lies in our cemeteries.
The goal is Wreaths Across America is threefold:
- Remember the fallen.
- Honor those who have served.
- Teach children the value of freedom.
At the conclusion of the wreath laying at Tonaquint Cemetery, St. George Police will escort volunteers to St. George Cemetery (650 East Tabernacle) to lay the balance of remembrance wreaths.
In 2022, a record-setting 2.7 million remembrance wreaths were laid at 3,702 participating locations nationwide.
“Locally, over 2,100 wreaths were laid on the graves of our veterans buried at both Tonaquint and St. George cemeteries with hundreds of volunteers helping,” said Valerie King, event organizer for the Color Country Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution. “This is a community event in every sense, and we hope to see a lot of people join us once again at Tonaquint Cemetery on December 16.”
Veterans representing each branch of military service covering a wide array of service years – from the Cold War to the conflicts of the 21st century — will participate in the ceremonial wreath dedication.
About the City of St. George
St. George is the largest city in Washington County and the fifth-largest city in Utah, with approximately 100,000 residents. In recent years, people from across the U.S. and Canada have been attracted to St. George’s world-class healthcare, active lifestyle, access to university education, and proximity to unrivaled recreation. Scenic beauty abounds throughout the city and region, including Snow Canyon State Park, Quail Creek and Sand Hollow Reservoirs, and Zion National Park. With an average of about 300 days of sunshine per year, the community welcomes all to live, work, play, eat, and experience “The Brighter Side” in St. George, Utah.
