The Highlands community will gather on Saturday, December 13, at 12:00 P.M. for the annual Wreaths Across America ceremony — a time to remember, honor, and celebrate the brave men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform. The ceremony will begin at the Highlands Community Building, 869 North 4th Street, where community members of all ages come together in gratitude and reflection.
This year’s presentation will include eight ceremonial wreaths, representing all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces — Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Merchant Marine, Coast Guard, Space Force — along with a wreath to honor all POW/MIA heroes who never returned home. Each wreath is a symbol of remembrance, unity, and enduring respect.
Following the ceremony, shuttle service will transport volunteers and family members to Highlands Cemetery, across from Little Bear Pen on Memorial Park Drive. More than 500 wreaths will be placed upon the graves of local veterans — a gesture small in effort but immeasurable in meaning. The mission extends beyond Highlands Cemetery, reaching Scaly Methodist, Scaly Baptist, Horse Cove, Macedonia, Clear Creek, Buck Creek, Mt. Moriah, Miller, and even the smallest family plots, where loved ones continue the tradition throughout the weekend.
“Walking those hills and placing those wreaths is a labor of love,” shares Phil Potts, organizer of Wreaths Across America in Highlands. “We locate each grave, and as the wreath is placed, we say their name, their service, and repeat, ‘they are never forgotten.’”
The 2025 national theme, “Keep Moving Forward,” was inspired by the final words of Captain Joshua Byers, who was killed in action in Iraq. His message challenges us to embody resilience and hope — to honor the past while continuing to serve and strengthen our communities.
Clay Hartman, Highlands resident and retired U.S. Navy Commander, offers this reflection: “As a retired U.S. Navy Commander, I support Wreaths Across America for what it symbolizes: the sacrifice of those who defended the freedoms embodied in our flag. The Stars and Stripes belong to every American. It does not divide us; it unites us as the United States. It is not a banner of division, but of duty, sacrifice, and hope. To honor those who wore the uniform, we must recommit to unity — one nation, indivisible, under a flag that belongs to us all.”
Everyone is encouraged to take part — by volunteering, sponsoring a wreath, or simply sharing in this powerful act of remembrance. Each wreath costs $17, and sponsors make it possible to ensure that no veteran is ever forgotten.
To sponsor a wreath or learn more, contact Phil Potts at (828) 200‑9753 or via email at ppotts63@frontier.com.
Join Highlands in remembering, honoring, and teaching the legacy of service and sacrifice. Together — with hearts full of gratitude and eyes fixed on the future — we “Keep Moving Forward.”
Favorites Count: 0