Wreaths Across America at Quantico National Cemetery

December 18–19, 2026

Join Scouts and Scouters from across Prince William District as we support Wreaths Across America at Quantico National Cemetery, coordinated locally by Semper K9 Assistance Dogs.

What is Wreaths Across America?

Each December, volunteers across the country come together for National Wreaths Across America Day to place veterans’ wreaths at the graves of those who served our nation.

Wreaths Across America’s mission is simple but powerful:

REMEMBER the fallen.

HONOR those who serve.

TEACH the next generation the value of freedom.

Wreath placement is more than placing a decoration on a grave. Volunteers are encouraged to pause, say the veteran’s name, thank them for their service and sacrifice, and remember the individual behind the headstone.

Supporting Semper K9 Assistance Dogs:

Semper K9 Assistance Dogs is coordinating the Wreaths Across America event at Quantico National Cemetery, and Prince William District Scouts and Scouters have been invited to help make this large community remembrance event possible.

Semper K9 is a combat veteran-founded nonprofit that provides specially trained service dogs to disabled veterans at no cost to the veteran. Their work supporting veterans makes this partnership especially meaningful.

Prince William District will coordinate our Scouting volunteers and serve as the point of contact for units participating through the District registration.

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Volunteer Opportunities:

Friday, December 18, 2PM-6PM

Grave-Specific Wreath Placement

Scouts & Adults both welcome.

Volunteers will help place grave-specific wreaths throughout the cemetery. Placements will be photographed and documented so photos can be shared with the families who requested the wreaths.

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Saturday, December 19, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM

Wreath Staging

Scouts & Adults — Adult Drivers Needed

Thousands of wreaths must be moved to the appropriate cemetery sections before public wreath placement begins at noon.

**Scouts may:**

• Help unload and move wreath boxes

• Carry wreaths and boxes to designated staging locations

• Assist ground crews with organizing sections

**Adults may:**

• Perform all of the above

• Drive trucks and SUVs

• Provide/operate vehicles and trailers used for wreath distribution

**Drivers and vehicle operators must be adults.**

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Saturday, December 19, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM

Family Grave-Specific Wreath Assistance

Scouts America (Troops), Venturering Crews, Ships, & Adults

Help families arriving at the designated grave-specific wreath area receive their wreaths and directions so they can personally place them at their loved one’s grave.

This is a special opportunity to provide respectful, courteous assistance directly to veterans’ families.

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Saturday, December 19, 9:00 AM–2:00 PM

Section Teams

Scouts America (Troops), Venturering Crews, Ships & Adults

Each cemetery section will have volunteers responsible for protecting staged wreaths prior to public placement and assisting once wreath laying begins at noon.

**Scouts may serve as Section Assistants and help:**

• Monitor wreath boxes before placement begins

• Welcome and guide volunteers

• Distribute the appropriate number of wreaths

• Explain proper wreath-laying etiquette

• Encourage respectful spacing and placement

**Adults will serve as Section Leaders**, providing supervision and coordinating each section.

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Saturday, December 19, 8:00 AM–2:00 PM

Parking & Shuttle Assistance

Age 16+ Scouts and Adults Only

Help arriving volunteers find their way and keep the flow of people moving safely.

**Scouts may:**

• Serve as greeters

• Direct pedestrians toward designated shuttle/bus areas

• Help volunteers locate shuttle loading areas

• Share wreath-laying instructions and etiquette

• Help answer basic event questions

**Adults/event personnel will handle vehicle traffic direction and other assignments involving moving vehicles.**

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Saturday, December 19, 12:00 PM–3:00 PM

Box Cleanup

ALL AGES — Great Opportunity for Younger Scouts!

Once wreath placement begins, empty cardboard boxes must be broken down and collected throughout the cemetery.

**Younger Scouts and families can:**

• Break down empty boxes

• Stack flattened boxes at designated collection points

**Older youth and adults can:**

• Help collect consolidated boxes

• Assist with transporting boxes back to the designated trailer/collection area

This is an excellent service opportunity for Packs and families with younger Scouts.

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Additional Information

• What Should I Wear?

Uniform: Class A Scout Uniform

Footwear: Closed-toe shoes are required

Bring: Rain jacket, water bottle

This event will take place outdoors in December. **Please dress appropriately for the weather and consider warm layers underneath your uniform.**

The event will proceed in cold or wet weather unless otherwise communicated by event organizers.

• How Does This Connect to Scouting?

Service is at the heart of Scouting.  When Scouts participate in Wreaths Across America, they put the Scout Oath and Scout Law into action by doing their duty to country, helping other people, showing respect and courtesy to veterans and their families, and serving their community. Scouts will have the opportunity to learn that every headstone represents an individual with a name, a family and a story. By helping ensure these veterans are remembered with dignity and respect, Scouts become part of Wreaths Across America’s mission to Remember, Honor and Teach. Most importantly, this gives our Scouts an opportunity to serve alongside veterans, military families, community members and one another while helping preserve the memory of those who served before us.

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Registration:

Advance registration through this registration page is required for Scouts and Scouters participating as part of the District volunteer group.  Note: when you register, please include the names of all Scouts and Adults that plan to attend.  The organizers have asked we provide this information prior to the event.

During registration, volunteers will select the available volunteer opportunity (Friday and/or Saturday) they are interested in. Final assignments may be adjusted based on volunteer numbers, ages and the needs of the event.

Youth must participate with their family/unit and appropriate adult leadership in accordance with Scouting America Safeguarding Youth and supervision requirements.

An email will go out to the primary point of contact the week of the event with final details and check-in instructions.

Prince William District Scouting Point of Contact:

Diann Tarney, Civic Service Chair, PWD

DLTarney@gmail.com

937-510-7082