Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery held their annual Wreaths Across America ceremony on the official National WAA Day, December 13, 2025. Mrs. Diana and Roger Emerson US Navy Veteran, WAA Location Coordinators for the Garrison Forest cemetery, served as the Masters of Ceremonies. The Franklin High School JROTC presented Colors and Cadet Ariana Murphy, Air Civil Patrol sang the National Anthem. Jesse Mixon US Navy Veteran Chaplain led in a moment of silence. The Emerson’s along with Baltimore County Councilman Pat Young USMC Veteran gave inspirational messages that was followed by the wreath laying ceremony. A veteran from every branch of the Armed Forces placed a wreath during the ceremony. At the end of the ceremony TAPS was played by Chaplain Mixon. The ceremony was well attended by family and hundreds of volunteers. Gold Star Mother Janice Chance represented the Maryland Chapter. Prior to placing the wreaths instructions were provided by Mrs. Emerson. The volunteers were reminded to speak the veterans’ name aloud, thank them for their service and reflect on the veteran’s life. Janice joined the volunteers who worked together to place the 5,100 donated wreaths throughout the cemetery to honor our veterans. Janice also had the honor to place a wreath on the grave of her late father Harry Matthews US Navy WWII veteran and her late uncle Kenneth Matthews US Army Korean war Veteran. Although it was cold day it did not hinder the goal of placement of the wreaths on the graves of our heroes. The Maryland Chapter donated wreaths to Garrison Forest, and to all the Maryland Veterans Cemeteries. They also donated wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery and Dulaney Valley Memorial Cemetery. Please visit the wreaths across America website to donate a wreath(s) to help the WAA Garrison team to reach their 10,000-wreath goal for 2026. https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/16146/Overview/?relatedId=162017
