12/13/2025
Our apologies concerning today's Wreaths Across America Day activities. We (Gray Hill Cemetery) received enough wreaths to cover about 10% of the veterans', nowhere near enough to do the entire cemetery. This was due to a misunderstanding about how the wreaths are allocated. This year, there were 20 wreaths purchased for Gray Hill, far short of the 300+ needed to cover at 100%. Last year, we were in the same situation, but we were a first-year sponsor, so the organization "gifted" us enough wreaths to cover the entire cemetery. Those "gifted" wreaths came from their unallocated wreaths. Apparently, there were not enough unallocated wreaths to help us with our numbers. However, during our posting flags at each veteran's grave Memorial Day, we discovered Johntown Cemetery on Martin Luther King Drive, a very old cemetery the city takes care of. We placed the 20 wreaths (plus 4 others, as WAA does not ship short boxes - all boxes shipped have 12 wreaths) and the 8 ceremonial wreaths on the veterans' graves there, as they were not honored last year.
We found out about the short number Tuesday when the wreaths were delivered. WIthout knowing which groups, other than the City of Commerce and the Boy Scouts, we were unable to notify everyone about the change.
We should have posted on social media that there would not be a formal ceremony at Gray Hill this year, I am to blame for that. I deeply appologize for any inconvenience caused by my failure.
How do we prevent this from happening ever again? We need to ensure enough wreaths are sponsored to fully cover both Gray Hill and Johntown Cemeteries. Sponsorship for next year starts today. WAA is offering 2 wreaths for the price of 1. We need to get at least 330 wreaths to ensure this never happens again.
Again, my sincerest apologies,
Steve Miles
Commander
Sons Of The American Legion
Squadron 93
Commerce, GA