The Highlands community will gather on Saturday, December 13, at Noon 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 residents of all ages come together in gratitude and reflection.
This year’s presentation will feature eight ceremonial wreaths representing every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Merchant Marine, Coast Guard, and Space Force, along with one honoring all POW/MIA heroes who never returned home. Each wreath serves as a lasting symbol of remembrance and unity.
Following the ceremony, shuttle service will carry volunteers and family members to Highlands Cemetery across from Little Bear Pen on Memorial Park Drive. There, more than 500 wreaths will be placed upon the graves of local veterans — a simple act of devotion that carries deep meaning.
The mission extends beyond Highlands Cemetery to Scaly Methodist, Scaly Baptist, Horse Cove, Macedonia, Clear Creek, Buck Creek, Mt. Moriah, Miller, and even the smallest family plots, where loved ones continue this 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.’”
Highlands resident and retired U.S. Navy Commander Clay Hartman reflects, “I support Wreaths Across America for what it represents — the sacrifice of those who defended the freedoms within our flag. The Stars and Stripes belong to every American. It does not divide us; it unites us as one nation. It is not a banner of division, but of duty, sacrifice, and hope. To honor those who served, we must recommit to unity under a flag that belongs to us all.”
Everyone is encouraged to take part by volunteering, sponsoring a wreath, or simply sharing in this act of remembrance. Each wreath sponsorship is $17 and ensures no veteran is ever forgotten.
To sponsor a wreath or learn more, contact Phil Potts at (828) 200‑9753 or by email at ppotts63@frontier.com.
Join Highlands in remembering and honoring those who served our country with courage and devotion. Through this shared act of gratitude, the community ensures that every veteran’s sacrifice is recognized and their memory endures for generations to come.
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