Frequently Asked Questions

How can I volunteer?

Volunteers are needed to lay wreaths, direct traffic, escort, and assist VIPs and disabled participants and remove wreaths. If you're interested in volunteering with us, please fill out and submit the form Volunteer for Wreath Placement (form available in November) from the menu above.

How do I get wreaths placed on more than one specific grave?

We always want to make sure to honor specific sponsorship requests. With this in mind, we've left spaces on our online order forms that allow up to five specific gravesites. Please place any additional request in the "additional comments" block. If ordering by mail attach a separate sheet of paper with the Veteran's names and grave locations.

We pride ourselves on being able to place wreaths on specific graves. This allows you to remember and honor the sacrifice of your loved ones. Unfortunately, we will no longer offer photos of wreaths on specific graves. Our number of specific placements has continued to grow and the shortage of volunteers to take the pictures has become worse.

Can I request a wreath for someone who was cremated?

Yes. We are allowed to place a wreath at the base of the columns in the columbarium. If we have requests for more than one person in a column, we can only place one wreath at the base. Additional wreaths will be placed on other graves at Barrancas.

What is Wreaths Across America?

Wreaths Across America (WAA) is a national nonprofit organization founded in 2007 to continue and expand the annual ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery started by Maine businessman, Morrill Worcester, in 1992.

About WAA

In 1992, 5,000 wreaths were donated by Morrill Worcester and Worcester WreathCo. Years later, in 2005, an iconic photo of their wreaths in snow becomes a viral sensation. Finally, in 2007, Wreaths Across America is formed as a 501c(3) nonprofit organization governed by a Board of Directors. Their day-to-day operations are overseen by Executive Director Karen Worcester.

WAA's mission-Remember, Honor, Teach-is carried out in part by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington, as well as veterans' cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond.

The organization has since expanded to include over 1,000 local charity groups that represent more than 800 cemeteries, military memorials, and other locations.

In 2008, and each year since, Congress has issued a proclamation officially recognizing "Wreaths Across America Day" each December. This year, it will be held on 12/16/2023.

What is Kiwanis Club of Big Lagoon Foundation Inc's Relationship with WAA?

We are one of the charitable organizations that have partnered with WAA. WAA is a nationwide charity that delivers wreaths to all 50 states. The Big Lagoon Kiwanis (BLK) solicits memorial wreath sponsorship specifically for Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida. We place the wreaths on veterans' headstones in December on National Remembrance Day. 100 percent of funds raised by BLK will be dedicated to charitable causes.

Why is Kiwanis involved with WAA?

The six permanent Objects of Kiwanis Club International were approved by delegates at the 1924 Kiwanis International Convention in Denver and have remained unchanged through the decades. We in the Big Lagoon Chapter believe this is our mission:

• To give primacy to the human and spiritual rather than to the material values of life.
• To encourage the daily living of the Golden Rule in all human relationships.
• To promote the adoption and application of higher social, business, and professional standards.
• To develop — by precept and example — a more intelligent, aggressive, and serviceable citizenship.
• To provide — through Kiwanis clubs — a practical means to form enduring friendships, to render altruistic service, and to build better communities.
• To cooperate in creating and maintaining sound public opinion and high idealism that increase righteousness, justice, patriotism, and goodwill.

As a local club in a military community, we have many members who have served our country. We believe it is vital to demonstrate to the children we serve, the importance of honoring our veterans' sacrifices for our freedom.