Wreaths Across America 2021

*Please read important COVID-related instructions at the bottom of this message*

As we have for the past four years (with the unfortunate exception of 2020 due to COVID), HKS will again proudly support Wreaths Across America on December 18th, 2021 out of respect for our fallen at the holiday season.  

For those unfamiliar:  Wreaths Across America aims to honor every laid-to-rest veteran at the holidays with a wreath or a rock and the out-loud pronouncement of their name. The program began in 1992, when a wreath manufacturing family in Maine found themselves with a seasonal surplus. Shortly thereafter, they drove through the night to place their wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery. Their spontaneous goodwill has since inspired tens of thousands of others as the initiative has grown internationally.  So too, has the HKS presence grown - to more than 70 plus volunteers in years’ past.  As those who have participated know:  not rain, sleet, nor snow will keep us away from this self-appointed duty!

And, since we’ve doubled our volunteer numbers nearly every year we’ve participated, Wreaths Across America has given us our own truck of wreaths to manage, which will make connecting much easier.  

If you’d like to join us in laying the wreaths, you’ll need to RSVP as a Volunteer as well as register at https://learn.wreathsacrossamerica.org/anc2021, and then join us that Saturday morning:  December 18th, 2021 (with details to follow here and by email, as they become available).  If you can’t join us but would like to participate, please consider sponsoring a wreath here. As always, we thank you for your continued support of that HKS concept of service which continues to unite us.

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Important Note: There are special procedures in place this year due to COVID. Subsequently, if you'd like to volunteer with HKSDC, you will need to register twice: once on hksdc.org so we can communicate with our group the day-of, and once through the official WAA site:  https://learn.wreathsacrossamerica.org/anc2021. 

"This year, volunteers will be required to register in order to participate in the public wreath-laying. We are committed to ensuring the safety of all those that want to participate, and as such, will have designated entry gates and times for a limited number of registered volunteers to enter." 

"Proof of registration will be required for every attendee/volunteer – please bring confirmation to be scanned. All visitors 16 years of age and older (pedestrians, drivers, and passengers) must present valid photo identification upon entering the cemetery. Original documentation is required."

You must register and can read details about how volunteers will be admitted into the Cemetery at this page: https://learn.wreathsacrossamerica.org/anc2021.