The Last Wreath of Remembrance Laid at Greenwood Memorial Park

December 17, 2025

On December 13, 2025, Greenwood Memorial Park and Mortuary in San Diego held its eleventh and final National Wreaths Across America Day ceremony, an event honoring military veterans. The gathering brought together various community members, military personnel, and local officials including Mayor Todd Gloria to place memorial wreaths on veterans' graves and speak their names in remembrance. This year marked the end of the tradition at Greenwood because the Wreaths Across America organization discontinued its support for the cemetery, resulting in significantly fewer wreaths than previous years.

Who is affected

Approximately 10,000 American veterans buried at Greenwood Memorial Park
Families of veterans interred at Greenwood
Veterans and active-duty servicemembers who attended
Buffalo Soldiers (specifically San Diego Chapter members and Trooper Rachel Hilliard)
San Diego JROTC cadets
Local girl scout troops
Greenwood Memorial Park staff (including co-location coordinators Dee Sanford and Gloria James)
Community volunteers and attendees
Mayor Todd Gloria and District 4 City Councilmember Henry Foster III

What action is being taken

Wreaths are being placed on veterans' headstones and grave-plots
JROTC Cadets are walking around the grounds saying names, honoring, and saluting veterans whose graves could not receive wreaths
Similar ceremonies with prayer and Remembrance Wreaths are being held at nearly 5,600 locations nationwide

Why it matters

This event matters because it represents the final opportunity for the Greenwood Memorial Park community to collectively honor approximately 10,000 veterans through the Wreaths Across America tradition. The ceremony emphasizes the cultural importance of speaking veterans' names aloud, reflecting the belief shared by coordinator Gloria James that "we die twice" - once physically and again when our names are no longer called. The discontinuation of organizational support means these veterans may no longer receive this form of public remembrance and recognition in future years, potentially breaking an eleven-year tradition of community tribute.

What's next

National Wreaths Across America Day will be held on Saturday, December 19, 2026, though it is uncertain whether Greenwood Memorial Park will participate without organizational support.

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint