JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Joint military partners, members of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and the Alaska community gathered to lay wreaths on the graves of America’s fallen heroes to honor their sacrifice at the Fort Richardson National Cemetery during a ceremony with Wreaths Across America, Dec. 13, 2025.
“We make sure that not a single one of these heroes resting here today are forgotten,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Dustin Hansen, 673d Mission Support Group commander. “We say their name in thankfulness, and we keep them present in our hearts. We celebrate their life and their selfless service as we place these wreaths. We do it with a deep sense of appreciation for the legacy of service that shapes this service and installation.”
The ceremony opened with the presentation of wreaths honoring service members from every branch of the U.S. military. A member from each branch of service alongside a partner from the Alaska community carefully placed a wreath on display and rendered a salute in memory of their fallen brothers and sisters in arms. Following the presentation, approximately 400 volunteers including families, friends, service members and community members dispersed throughout the cemetery to place wreaths at gravesites, ensuring every hero was honored.
“Our ceremony honors service members from every branch of the military, the Merchant Marine and the [prisoner of war or missing in action] veterans,” said Terry Michalski, Wreaths Across America in Alaska volunteer location coordinator. “Those who did not make it home — we honor them with ceremonial wreaths.”
Wreaths Across America is a non-profit organization formed as an extension of the Arlington Wreath Project. Every December the project pays respects to those who sacrificed their lives serving the country. This tradition has brought together military communities nationally for nearly 20 years.
The origin of this event dates back to 1992 when Morrell Worcester donated and laid 5,000 wreaths on the graves of fallen troops at Arlington National Cemetery. This was an independent event for Worcester until a photo of snow-covered graves circulated on the Internet, starting a tradition that would continue for years to come.
“Everyone who serves here in the Arctic feels the warmth of this community despite the arctic cold,” said Hansen. “The rugged qualities inherent in Alaskans define the warfighter — grit, toughness and humility standing shoulder-to-shoulder. Those traits connect us to the men and women buried here. The community standing out here in the winter light, making time to honor our fallen brothers and sisters is part of what it means to live and serve in Alaska. We show up for each other.”
The JBER team and its partners across Alaska plan to continue this cherished tradition that brings the community together to honor all who did not make it home in the name of freedom.
“This cemetery is not divided by rank or branch of service,” said Michalski. “All of our honored veterans here contributed to protecting our country. They served side by side and they will rest side by side.”