Wreaths Across America - Bakersfield

01/06/2025

Kern County's Wreaths Across America event honoring veterans interred at the Bakersfield National Cemetery, concludes this Saturday, January 11 at 9 a.m.

We would appreciate your help. If you would like to volunteer, please dress warmly, bring gloves and a pole or rope to transport the wreaths and join us at 9 a.m. We'll see you then.

Thank you!

12/12/2024

How do you honor a veteran interred at the Bakersfield National Cemetery? Reverently. Respectfully. Gratefully.

01/08/2024

01/08/2024

Wreaths Across America thanks everyone who joined us at the Bakersfield National Cemetery on December 16 to honor the veterans interred there. Nearly 2,000 of you participated in the wreath laying, with 7,500 wreaths laid in less than an hour.

It was a solemn but beautiful and joyous day. A special thanks to the parents who included their children in the event and the volunteers and sponsorship groups who worked behind the scenes to make it happen.

The wreaths and menorahs will come down on Saturday, January 13, starting at 8 a.m. If you are free to honor your veterans again, we'd love your help. Dress warmly, and bring gloves and rope (to string the wreaths for easy removal).

Photos of the wreaths' arrival and Wreaths Across America Day 2023, courtesy of Wayne Wong and MichaelWong.

12/16/2023

More than 7,500 wreaths made their way through Bakersfield this morning, arriving at the Bakersfield National Cemetery in time for the wreath laying tomorrow.

Our thanks to the Bakersfield Freedom Riders and the Bakersfield Police Department for the honor es**rt to the cemetery.

Our thanks, also to the 100 volunteers who works hard and quickly to unload the trucks. Wreaths Across America is ready - we hope to see you there!

9 a.m.: Honor Ceremony begins at the cemetery assembly area. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early.
9:45 a.m.: Wreath laying begins.

THANK YOU FOR HONORING OUR VETERANS!

Photos by Norma McKee

12/09/2023

Wreaths Across America recognized Jewish veterans interred at the Bakersfield National Cemetery by placing menorahs on their headstones Thursday, the first day of Hanukkah.

The final resting places of all other veterans will be honored with Christmas wreaths during Wreaths Across America Day on Saturday, December 16.

In the Jewish faith tradition, flowers and other organic materials are not placed on grave sites. Still, local organizers who wanted to pay tribute to Jewish veterans sought and received permission from the National Cemetery Administration to place the menorahs. Hanukkah ends on December 15, but the menorahs will remain up along with the wreaths through Jan. 13.

Volunteers are still needed to help place 7,500 wreaths on Dec. 16th. A wreath-laying ceremony begins in the upper assembly ara at 9 a.m.; general wreath-laying begins at 9:45. All are welcome.

For more information: Marylee Shrider at [email protected].

11/09/2023

Thank you.

10/18/2023

Every year for more than a decade, local volunteers have worked tirelessly to ensure that the gravesite of every veteran buried at Bakersfield National Cemetery was honored with a wreath

07/14/2023

Are you wearing R.E.D. today?

02/24/2023

01/20/2023

Wreath Sponsorship Price Change

From National Headquarters -- As the yearlong mission continues to grow, so do the operational costs associated with growing new and existing programs, such as the expansion of the TEACH curriculum and Veteran outreach efforts, promotional platforms such as Wreaths Radio and the Mobile Education Exhibit, and staffing and administrative costs necessary to sustain the increased needs of all of our volunteers and supporters across the country. As a result, beginning on Feb. 1, 2023, the cost to sponsor a veteran’s wreath for placement on National Wreaths Across America Day will increase to $17 to help offset the increased costs of our programs and administration.

Read more...

01/14/2023

Big thank you to all of our volunteers this morning for a quick wreath clean up! Shout out to Kern County and Bakersfield Young Marines for getting to work early. Reminder that wreath matching for 2023 ends this coming Tuesday 1/17. Thank you all!