American Legion Post 420 to Host Wreaths Across America Ceremony at J.N. Tucker Cemetery in Melbourne
By Rose Yeary // December 9, 2025
Places Wreaths on graves of Veterans
On December 13th, 2025, American Legion Post 420, Suntree, will lead the Wreaths Across America ceremony at J.N. Tucker (Shady Oaks) Cemetery at 10 a.m. Wreaths will be placed on the graves of our brave Veterans.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — American Legion Post 420 in Suntree will host the annual Wreaths Across America ceremony at J.N. Tucker (Shady Oaks) Cemetery on Saturday, December 13, beginning at 10 a.m., honoring local veterans and those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation.
The observance is part of a nationwide tribute that began more than three decades ago with a single, simple act of remembrance. In 1992, Maine businessman Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Company, had an excess of holiday wreaths and chose to place them on headstones in an older section of Arlington National Cemetery. That quiet gesture sparked what would grow into a nationally recognized day of reflection, gratitude and education.
Congress officially designated December 13 as Wreaths Across America Day in 2008, solidifying the annual event as a permanent reminder of the nation’s commitment to its veterans. In 2024 alone, organizers reported that more than three million wreaths were laid across cemeteries, memorials and military posts throughout the country.
The mission of Wreaths Across America centers on three guiding principles: remembering the fallen, honoring those who serve, and teaching future generations about the sacrifices made for freedom.
Organizers say the ceremony in Suntree will include remarks, moments of reflection and the ceremonial placement of wreaths as community members gather to pay tribute to service members from all branches of the military.
A quote often associated with the movement captures its enduring purpose. Pierre Claeyssens, a Belgian immigrant whose homeland was liberated by American forces during World War I, once wrote:
“To be killed in war is not the worst that can happen. To be lost is not the worst that can happen. To be forgotten is the worst that can happen.”
For the families, volunteers, and veterans taking part, the ceremony is a promise that those who served will never be forgotten.
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