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2024 So Far
156 Wreaths Sponsored
31.2% to Goal
344 To Go!

REMEMBER the Fallen. . . HONOR those who Serve. . . TEACH our children the value of Freedom.

Welcome to VA0790 - Freedom's Cadence's Wreaths Across America Page. This Sponsorship Group was started by 11 year old Cadence Smeltzer, in 2020, in an effort to make sure that every veteran buried at Yorktown Cemetery receives a wreath this and every holiday season, honoring their service and sacrifice for this great nation. Cadence has volunteered her time since 2017, in both acquiring wreath sponsorships, as well as participating in the wreath laying ceremonies held each December.  Each year, she gained more and more sponsorships, but was devastated to see that Yorktown Cemetery repeatedly fell short of its goal, meaning many graves were left without a wreath. 

Cadence decided to create her own Sponsorship Group in 2020 and increased her normal sponsorship goal by 300%. With the incredible support from her family, friends, and community, Cadence raised $11,000 last year, which in turn purchased 1,100 wreaths for veterans.  Cadence's efforts were featured in the local newspaper, on several local news stations, as well as in the Langley AFB newspaper. She ensured that every veteran buried at Yorktown National Cemetery received a wreath for Christmas.  Not only was Yorktown National Cemetery completely covered, but she helped to honor veterans buried at Cedar Grove Cemetery (Portsmouth, VA), Arlington National Cemetery (Washington, DC), and a small cemetery in New Jersey.

In 2021, Cadence once again set a high sponsorship goal for herself. She ended the season getting sponsorships for 426 wreaths over four different cemeteries.  She once again insured that Yorktown National Cemetery was fully sponored and also Cedar Grove Cemetery in Portsmouth, VA as well. Yorktown National Cemetery and Cedar Grove Cemetery have been fully funded every year since.  For 2024, Cadence has started her fundraising goals at 500 wreaths. She is determined to exceed this goal and do her part in ensuring that every veteran buried at Yorktown Cemetery and Cedar Grove Cemetery are once again honored and remembered this holiday season.  And new for 2024, once she has met her goals of filling both of these cemeteries, she hopes to help honor some of 33,000 veterans buried at Hampton National Cemetery too. Would you consider helping her with her mission?

REMEMBER FOR EVERY 2 WREATHS SPONSORED, AN ADDITIONAL WREATH IS PLACED AT NO EXTRA COST!!

On December 14, 2024 (See location pages for ceremony and wreath placement details), VA0790 - Freedom's Cadence will be helping Yorktown National Cemetery to Remember and Honor our veterans by laying Remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country's fallen heroes.

Please help us honor and remember as many fallen heroes as possible by sponsoring remembrance wreaths, volunteering on Wreaths Day, or inviting your family and friends to attend with you.

Thank you so much for supporting Cadence, her group VA0790 - Freedom's Cadence and Wreaths Across America!

Sponsor Wreaths

Click "Sponsor Wreaths" to sponsor a wreath and help us reach our goal of honoring every veteran at the cemetery.

Sponsor Wreaths

Volunteer

Click here if you would like to participate in the wreath laying ceremony on Wreaths Day at the cemetery.

Invite

Click here to spread the word encourage your friends to sponsor, volunteer or keep up with our news.

The Mobile Education Exhibit's Schedule

Visit the Mobile Education Exhibit in your community!

Wreaths Across America Announces Matching Campaign from Norfolk Southern

The company will match veteran wreath sponsorships for placement at Marietta National Cemetery up to $100,000!

421 recent news items exist. Click "View All News" to see them all.

 

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In Honor Of for Robin Gueths, Honored by Yorktown National Cemetery

In memory of 1Lt Robin E. Gueths, 334 TFS, 27 Feb 55 - 3 Sep 80.

Location Information

VAYNCY - Yorktown National Cemetery
2100 Cook Rd
Yorktown, VA 23690, United States
Click here for the Yorktown National Cemetery Page

1,600
1,600
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December 14, 2024 at 12:00 pm (Wreath Placement Immediately Following Ceremony)

Dylan McCullough, Jason Flood

Directions to Cemetery

Navigation systems do an adequate job finding the cemetery, which is located at the corner of Cook and Goosley Roads in Yorktown, VA. Parking is NOT available at the Yorktown National Cemetery. Park in the village of Yorktown (see parking information). Please do not walk in the roadways and arrive before 11:30am to ensure enough time to get to the ceremony site.

When you arrive, please use the designated Yorktown Trolley shuttle (marked with a wreath) to the site of the ceremony itself. The National Park Service, in partnership with York County has arranged for this special event parking and shuttle service.


Parking Instructions

IMPORTANT PARKING INFORMATION

Parking in the village of Yorktown can be a challenge. The National Park Service, in partnership with York County has arranged for special event parking and shuttle service. Parking is NOT available at the Yorktown National Cemetery.

Event participants must park in one of the two locations specified. You can utilize the parking lots at the NPS-Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center and the lot at the York County General District Court.

A BLUE York County trolley marked with a wreath will be used to provide shuttle service to the National Cemetery.  

Event Shuttle/Special Trolley Schedule
• Starts at 11 am (Events Starts at Noon)
• Shuttle will make a loop between the event parking areas and the cemetery
• There is a separate Trolley route that goes around town, ensure that you are on the right trolley
• Shuttle service will stop 1 hour after the completion of the event

Parking Lot Addresses:

NPS- Yorktown Battlefield Visitors Center 1000 Colonial Parkway, Yorktown, VA 23690
York County General District Court 300 Ballard St, Yorktown, VA 23690

Please do NOT park in the grass or along the side of the road near the Yorktown National Cemetery! And do not walk in the road.


Ceremony and Volunteer Information

We are happy that you are willing to help with our Wreath Across America ceremony at Yorktown National Cemetery. Please do not forget to register to volunteer! That way you will get all updates about the cemetery itself.

Here are some things to remember about the ceremony:

  • Everyone of all ages and backgrounds is welcome.
  • Please help ensure that all participants get the opportunity to place a wreath.
  • Please follow the location coordinators instructions on where to place wreaths, as well as "how" they should be placed.
  • We especially appreciate volunteers willing to help clean-up. Please check in with the location coordinator if you are interested in helping with the clean-up.

The most important thing to remember is to have a wonderful experience participating in the ceremony and thank you so much for help Wreaths achieve our mission to remember, honor and teach.

Our Locations

VAYNCY - Yorktown National Cemetery

Welcome to VAYNCY and thank you deeply for helping us with our goal to honor as many veterans as possible on Wreaths Across America Day,December 14, 2024 (Wreath Placement Immediately Following Ceremony). Please click "View" to learn more about our effort or to volunteer to help or click "Sponsor" to purchase wreaths that will be laid on the graves of our fallen heroes by our loyal volunteers.

VACGPS - Cedar Grove Cemetery

Welcome to VACGPS - Cedar Grove Cemetery and thank you deeply for helping us with our goal to honor as many veterans as possible on Wreaths Across America Day, December 14, 2024 (Wreath Placement Immediately Following Ceremony). Please click "View" to learn more about our effort or to volunteer to help or click "Sponsor" to purchase wreaths that will be laid on the graves of our fallen heroes by our loyal volunteers.

We support 3 locations around the world. Click "View Our Locations" to see them all.