A local effort to honor fallen veterans has earned statewide recognition, as Rhymes Memorial Library ranked among the top sponsorship groups in Louisiana for the Wreaths Across America program.
The library was the third most successful sponsorship group in the state, providing 1,957 wreaths to honor veterans laid to rest.
“We’re very grateful for Rhymes Memorial Library,” said Timothy Johnson, director of the Northeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery. “They are the ones who do all the legwork.”
Johnson said the program continues to grow each year, increasing both participation and the need for wreath sponsorships.
“Each year our cemetery gets bigger and more wreaths are needed,” he said. “They make sure that the families of the veterans don’t have to worry about having a wreath, and every one is covered.”
Across participating locations in Louisiana, 73 sponsorship groups at 89 sites helped honor 28,408 veterans.
Nationwide, community organizations also played a major role in the effort. Through the Wreaths Across America Group Sponsorship Program, 188,819 service members were honored in 2025.
Since its founding in 2007, Wreaths Across America has partnered with thousands of civic groups, schools and nonprofit organizations to support its mission: to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach the next generation the value of freedom.
The organization’s sponsorship program also provides a direct benefit to local communities. For every $17 wreath sponsorship, $5 supports an additional wreath, while another $5 is returned to the sponsoring group to fund local initiatives. Over the past 19 years, the program has returned nearly $32 million to communities nationwide.
“Our mission calls us to Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom,” said Executive Director Karen Worcester. “Supporting like-minded programs in communities across the country is a natural extension of that commitment.”
This year’s National Wreaths Across America Day is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 19, 2026. Each sponsored wreath will be placed on the headstone of a veteran in remembrance of their service and sacrifice.
