Minnesota State Cemetery in Saginaw Honors Veterans Through Wreaths Across America

Saturday the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Saginaw Minnesota, took place in the annual tradition of Wreaths Across the Nation. Dozens of family members and volunteers placed wreaths to honor and remember our veterans.

SAGINAW, Minn. — Every year millions of people across the nation gather to place a wreath at the final resting place of American veterans.

For its fifth time, the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Saginaw Minnesota participated in the event.

Wreaths across America started at Arlington National Cemetery in 1992, and has grown rapidly ever since.

“Over time it expanded to other national cemetery’s, and of course of first year being in 2018, we wanted to make sure we got started off on the right foot so we participated that year and we’ve done it every year since,” said Cory Johnson, Cemetery Administrator, Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Saginaw.

Over 4,000 locations across all 50 states participate each year, with more than 2 million volunteers and family members placing each wreath.

“With this being a veteran’s cemetery, it’s extremely important for us to recognize this event that started just a few short decades ago, but has grown to be extremely meaningful and powerful to the families that we serve,” said Johnson.

A ceremony was held at the cemetery in Saginaw, which including a rifle salute and the playing of Taps.

“To me this is really touching, looking at the beautiful job behind us, it really warms your heart to do something like this,” said Dan Streu, Duluth Honor Guard Captain.

The wreaths serve as a way to remember each veteran during the holidays, and to honor their service.

“I also have two loved ones that are buried at the state veteran’s cemetery down in Little Falls and of course I can’t be there today because I have responsibilities and obligations here, but I know both of those loved ones are being taken care of, even though I can be there to participate,” said Johnson

With the cemetery being fairly new, many of the veterans have local family members that were able to place their own wreaths. For those unavailable, there was plenty of volunteers on hand to assist in the placing.

“A goal of ours to ensure that every family member knows that the event is happened so that they had the opportunity to make the decision of whether or not they can make it out,” said Johnson.

The wreaths will stay until February first, and the cemetery gates are always open for anyone who wants to view the memorial.

People can also sponsor wreaths for next year’s celebration, which takes place on the third Saturday in December.