This year over 800 wreaths were placed on local veterans graves in Piqua, Ohio. Over a hundred city residents showed up on December 14, 2019 at Forest Hill Cemetery to place wreaths.

Wreaths across America is a non-profit organization that began as one man’s annual tribute to our veterans. Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, their mission is to Remember, Honor and Teach by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at more than 1,600 locations in all 50 U.S. states.

Many city businesses donated to raise money for wreaths including Scott Family McDonalds, My Miami County, P&R Specialty, Hampton Golf & Management, First Choice Body Shop, Hemm’s Glass Shop, PSC Crane and Rigging and many more.

Scott Family McDonald’s accepted donations in their restaurants in Piqua, Ohio during the month of November. They offered a $1000 match to donations accepted in store and challenged local businesses to do the same. “We are very happy with the amount that we raised in such a short time, and we plan to go even bigger next year by branching out to some of our other McDonald’s locations in the area.” Says Brianna Adams, Brand Manager.

The Piqua City Boyscouts and the Piqua Braves baseball club attended to help lay wreaths as well, Grady Stillwell, 10, offers a personal moment of silence and prayer at the grave of a Piqua veteran at Forest Hill Cemetery on Saturday. Stillwell, a member of the Piqua Braves baseball club, was one of many local kids and adults who turned out for the annual Wreathes Across America event.