Perspective Through Stories

Raise The Standard Honors Veterans at Wreaths Across America 2025

Today, December 13, 2025, the Raise The Standard Apparel team joined millions of Americans across the country for National Wreaths Across America Day. We gathered with our community to lay wreaths on the graves of veterans, speaking each name aloud and honoring the men and women who sacrificed everything for our freedom. At Raise The Standard, our mission has always centered on mental health awareness and honoring strength forged through adversity. There's no group that embodies this more than our veterans — individuals who have faced unimaginable challenges and continue to show resilience every single day. What Is Wreaths Across America? Wreaths Across America is a national nonprofit organization with a powerful three-word mission: Remember. Honor. Teach. Every December, volunteers gather at cemeteries across all 50 states and overseas locations to place fresh balsam wreaths on veterans' graves. The tradition began simply. In 1992, Morrill Worcester of Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine, found himself with surplus wreaths at the end of the holiday season. Remembering a childhood trip to Arlington National Cemetery that left a lasting impression on him, he donated 5,000 wreaths to honor the fallen. For thirteen years, Worcester quietly continued this tradition. Then in 2005, a photograph of snow-covered graves adorned with wreaths went viral, and suddenly the entire nation wanted to participate. By 2007, Wreaths Across America was formally established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to coordinate the growing movement. "There will always be challenges to overcome as individuals, communities and a country, but we must keep moving forward together." — Karen Worcester, Executive Director, Wreaths Across America   The Movement's Remarkable Growth What started with 5,000 wreaths at a single cemetery has grown into one of the largest volunteer events in America. The numbers tell an incredible story of communities coming together: Why This Matters to Raise The Standard Our "Behind Every Strong Person" collection carries a message that resonates deeply with the veteran community: strength is forged through adversity. Every veteran who served made sacrifices that most of us will never fully understand. Many returned home carrying invisible wounds — struggling with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and the challenge of reintegrating into civilian life. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, approximately 17 veterans die by suicide each day. Mental health awareness isn't just a cause for us — it's a mission that directly connects to the veteran community we honored today. "A veteran dies twice: once when their heart stops, and again when their name is spoken for the last time." — Wreaths Across America Tradition This is why the Wreaths Across America tradition of speaking each veteran's name aloud matters so much. It keeps their memory alive. It tells their families that their loved one's service will never be forgotten. Our Experience Today This morning, our team gathered at Old Willimantic Cemetery alongside fellow community members. The air was cold, but the warmth of the gathering was undeniable. Families, children, veterans, and civilians stood together with one purpose: to honor those who served. As we placed each wreath, we followed the Wreaths Across America tradition — saying the veteran's name out loud, thanking them for their service, and taking a moment to reflect on their life. Some graves belonged to veterans from World War II. Others served in Vietnam, Korea, Iraq, or Afghanistan. Each name represents a real person with a family, dreams, and a story of courage. One-third of Wreaths Across America volunteers are children. Watching the next generation participate in this tradition gives us hope. These young people are learning the value of freedom and the cost at which it comes. They're learning to honor sacrifice. And they're learning that some things matter more than themselves. How You Can Get Involved Sponsor a Wreath Each veteran's wreath costs $17 to sponsor. Your sponsorship ensures a fresh balsam wreath, hand-tied with a red velvet bow in Columbia Falls, Maine, will be placed on a veteran's grave. You can sponsor wreaths for a specific cemetery or allow Wreaths Across America to designate where they're needed most. Volunteer at a Local Ceremony With over 5,200 participating locations, there's likely a ceremony near you. Visit wreathsacrossamerica.org to find a location and register as a volunteer for next year. Start a Sponsorship Group Organizations, businesses, scout troops, and civic groups can become official Wreaths Across America Sponsorship Groups. Since 2007, over $28 million has been redistributed to local nonprofits through the group sponsorship program. Support Veteran Mental Health Honoring veterans goes beyond one day in December. Supporting organizations focused on veteran mental health, employment assistance, and family services makes a lasting impact throughout the year. The Mission Continues As we close out today's ceremony and head home to our families, we carry with us the names of veterans we honored. Their service matters. Their sacrifice matters. And keeping their memory alive matters. Wreaths Across America's theme for 2024 was "Live with Purpose." It's a message that resonates with everything we believe at Raise The Standard. Our veterans lived with purpose — serving something greater than themselves. The least we can do is remember them with purpose, honor them with purpose, and teach the next generation with purpose. We're already looking forward to next year. If you'd like to join the Raise The Standard team at a future Wreaths Across America ceremony, follow us on social media or reach out directly. Together, we can ensure that no veteran is ever forgotten. Learn More Visit wreathsacrossamerica.org to sponsor a wreath, find a participating location, or learn about volunteer opportunities. Follow their mission year-round through Wreaths Across America Radio, a 24/7 broadcast celebrating America's veterans. Thank you to every veteran who has served. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. Remember. Honor. Teach.