John Walker, Commander Jerry V. Horn Memorial Post 10046 VFW places a wreath on a veteran’s grave in Soldotna.

John Walker, Commander Jerry V. Horn Memorial Post 10046 VFW places a wreath on a veteran’s grave in Soldotna.

Wreaths across America honors veterans

December 16 was the National Wreaths Across America Day. The day’s mission is to Remember, Honor and Teach, carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as over 1,200 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea, and abroad.

Here in Alaska, Kenai and Soldotna participated for the second year in the Wreaths Across America Day.

John Walker, the Commander of the Jerry V. Horn Memorial Post 10046 Veterans of Foreign Wars, told the Dispatch, “It’s a national program that our past Commander Bob Miles got us included in and every year we have live wreaths shipped up here to Alaska and distributed to Veteran’s organizations and civilian organizations as well so that every December 16 at noon across the nation these organizations go to where our veterans are buried to lay a wreath and speak the names of our brothers and sisters who have fallen to remember their lives.

“We appreciate the awesome support from our local communities for their support of ceremonies like these and even though it’s pretty nasty today weather wise when the families of these veterans visit their loved ones grave they will know that we remember and appreciate their service to our country,” said Walker.

It’s appropriate that at the holidays when those deployed in service to protect our freedoms who are not at home that those of us here show our appreciation for our fallen brothers and sisters said Walker.

“Those who come to the VFW, AmVets or American Legions across the nation do so to be around their brothers and sisters because not everybody can understand what they have been through and it takes someone who has experience as similar situation to really understand what that bond that is created means. Veterans don’t have to be members to come by and fellowship with us. They are always welcome as a guest among those who understand what they have been through,” said Walker.

With a mission to remember, honor and teach veterans lay wreaths on the graves of fallen soldiers in Soldotna and Kenai.

With a mission to remember, honor and teach veterans lay wreaths on the graves of fallen soldiers in Soldotna and Kenai.

With a mission to remember, honor and teach veterans lay wreaths on the graves of fallen soldiers in Soldotna and Kenai.

With a mission to remember, honor and teach veterans lay wreaths on the graves of fallen soldiers in Soldotna and Kenai.

More in News

Erin Thompson (courtesy)
Erin Thompson to serve as regional editor for Alaska community publications

Erin Thompson is expanding her leadership as she takes on editorial oversight… Continue reading

A woman stands with her sign held up during a rally in support of Medicaid and South Peninsula Hospital on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Homer residents rally in support of South Peninsula Hospital and Medicaid

The community gathered on Wednesday in opposition to health care cuts that threaten rural hospitals.

Hunter Kirby holds up the hatchery king salmon he bagged during the one-day youth fishery on the Ninilchik River on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 in Ninilchik, Alaska. Photo by Mike Booz
Ninilchik River closed to sport fishing

The closure is in effect from June 23 through July 15.

Señor Panchos in Soldotna, Alaska, is closed on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna restaurant owner remains in ICE custody; federal charges dropped

Francisco Rodriguez-Rincon was accused of being in the country illegally and falsely claiming citizenship on a driver’s license application.

Brent Johnson speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough to provide maximum funding for school district

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District will receive less money from the state this year than it did last year.

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Pool manager and swim coach Will Hubler leads a treading water exercise at Kenai Central High School on Tuesday.
Pools, theaters, libraries in jeopardy as cuts loom

The district issued “notices of non-retention” to all its pool managers, library aides and theater technicians.

A sockeye salmon is pictured in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Fishing slow on Russian River, improving on Kenai

Northern Kenai fishing report for Tuesday, June 17.

Josiah Kelly, right, appears for a superior court arraignment at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Anchor Point man accepts plea deal for November shootings

Buildings operated by a local health clinic and an addiction recovery nonprofit were targeted.

Most Read