The annual Christmas Honors wreath-laying event is set to take place at the Fort Smith National Cemetery in December 2025. This will mark the 17th annual event, commemorating fallen service members and honoring their sacrifices. The wreath assembly workshop is scheduled for December 5, 2025, at the Fort Smith Convention Center from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Organizers are appealing for volunteers as well as trucks and trailers to assist in the transportation of wreaths to the cemetery.
The main wreath-laying ceremony is planned for December 6, 2025. Families of the deceased will have an opportunity to place wreaths on their loved ones’ graves from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The public ceremony will commence at 11 a.m. at the pavilion, followed by a public wreath-laying that will begin around 11:30 a.m.
Following the event, wreath pickup is arranged for January 7, 2026, at the cemetery, with a pack-up scheduled for January 8, 2026, at the convention center.
Community involvement is crucial for the success of Christmas Honors, which relies heavily on volunteers and donations. Since its inception in 2009, the initiative has grown significantly. Initially, wreaths were placed on approximately 12,000 graves; today, the program honors over 16,000 headstones annually.
For further information regarding the event, interested parties can visit the official website at www.christmashonors.org.