A holiday honor for veterans: Oakwood Field of Honor hosts Wreaths Across America event

At Raleigh's historic Oakwood cemetery and more than 4,200 other locations across the country, wreaths were laid Saturday to honor U.S. veterans.

The annual Wreaths Across America day is a visual representation of the group's year-round mission: To remember, honor and teach about those who have served our country. In all, three million wreaths were laid on veterans' graves across the country.

At Oakwood, the tradition began with the placing of 12 wreaths. In 2023, 2,016 wreaths were laid on veterans graves across the cemetery.

“The wreath is the catalyst, it brings together communities - families and strangers -- to learn about those who have served and sacrificed,” said Karen Worcester, executive director Wreaths Across America. “We have more than three million volunteers across the country and a third of them are children. This mission and the events happening today provide the opportunity to teach kids about what freedom is.”