Sunday, November 15, 2026
Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard
American Legion Post 404 members placed a wreath for each service. These wreaths will be placed at the Veterans’ Memorial.
Emily Savage sings “God Bless America.”
Participants in the Wreaths Across America at the Marco Cemetery.
Veterans paying their respects at the Memorial.
Veterans paying their respects at the Memorial.
Since 2019, the Marco Island Daughters of the American Revolution have planned and coordinated the annual ceremony for Wreaths Across America at the Marco Island Cemetery. This year, due to wind and rain, the ceremony was moved indoors to New Life Community Church, thanks to their gracious support.
The weather prevented the flyover by Civil Air Patrol (CAP), which traditionally opens the ceremony, but CAP members were present. The Sons of the American Revolution began the ceremony by posting the colors. Then, Sally Snyder, Regent for the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), welcomed the attendees. Tica Barrett from New Life Community Church sang our National Anthem, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Reverend Thomas McCulley, New Life Community Church, gave the invocation. Valinda Bilbrey, DAR Vice Regent, acknowledged the wonderful participants who help to make the ceremony so meaningful every year.
John Apolzan, 1st Vice Commander of American Legion Post 404, introduced members as they placed wreaths for each service:
Emily Savage honored the audience by singing God Bless America. The ceremony ended with Major Stephen LaPoint’s moving rendering of TAPS.
Special thanks were given to Rex DeJaager, owner at Sun DJs, who brings music and sound systems each year, as well as Dick Hurd and the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
On Wednesday, December 20th, wreaths were placed in the cemetery for each veteran. When a volunteer places a wreath, they say the veteran’s name aloud with many thanks for their service to our country.
Worcester Wreaths in Maine began the tradition of placing wreaths at Arlington Cemetery in 1992, aided by volunteers from American Legion, VFW Posts, and trucking companies. In 2007, Wreaths Across America was founded as a nonprofit organization, and 300 wreath-laying ceremonies were held in 2008. Currently, National Wreaths Across America Day is commemorated at more than 3,700 locations with more than 2.7 million wreaths being placed. (www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/FLMICM or https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/FL0663).
The mission of Wreaths across America is to Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom.
On Wednesday, December 20, at 10 a.m., volunteers will place a wreath at each veteran’s grave and say the veteran’s name aloud with thanks for their service to our country.
For more information contact DAR Regent Sally Snyder, sally.e.snyder@gmail.com, 703-851-0642.
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