As a fundraising project, the ROA Walla Walla Chapter has brought a long-standing tradition to life.
The initiative honors not only veterans who are currently being laid to rest but also those who passed long ago and may not have family members visiting their graves. The chapter aims to pay tribute to all veterans by laying a wreath on veterans’ headstones to remember and honor those who served.
This year, they had the privilege of laying approximately 660 wreaths. Each wreath represents a memory and a deep sense of gratitude.
On a chilly and overcast morning on December 14, 2024, the Walla Walla community honored America’s heroes during the annual Wreaths Across America Day. Community members—including Veterans, Non-Veterans, men, women, and children—gathered to pay their respects at the Fort Walla Walla Post Cemetery and Blue Mountain Memorial Gardens.
Central to the mission of the Walla Walla Chapter for the past three years is the commitment to remember, honor, and teach others about the sacrifices made by veterans. Volunteers devote their time to placing wreaths on the headstones and reciting each soldier’s name. The dedication and leadership of individuals such as Maj. Lonnie E. Mettler, Command Sgt. Maj. Terry R. Atchison, and Staff Sgt. Chad E. Bro drove this initiative.
They successfully engaged with local businesses, family members, and friends to secure the necessary funds to acquire wreaths. They successfully organized volunteers to assist with this initiative through their coordinated efforts.
Each year, fresh evergreen wreaths symbolize the community’s continued respect and honor for the sacrifices made by those brave individuals. This deeply rooted practice serves as a memorial, reminding everyone of the essential contributions of veterans and the families who support them.
Wreaths Across America Day is vital in bringing our community together and invites us all to reflect on the sacrifices made by those who served. The efforts of the Walla Walla Chapter serve as a heartfelt reminder of our shared obligation to honor and remember our veterans.
By doing so, we cultivate a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation within our community, recognizing those who have given so much courage and dedication.