Wreaths Across Chattanooga concerned with national organization

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Wreaths Across Chattanooga has become an annual tradition during the holiday season. 

It is an offshoot of the national Wreaths Across America program.

Wreaths Across America is headquartered in Maine, and promotes its laying of wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington along with helping over three thousand similar programs across the country.

But local organizers with Wreaths Across Chattanooga say recent policy changes have caused them to reconsider their affiliation.

The organizer with Wreaths Across Chattanooga, Mickey McCamish, said, “If we stop and think about it, almost everyone in our community, in our region, knows of someone that’s laid to rest at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.”

Over 49,000 are laid to rest at the National Cemetery, which is the number of wreaths organizer Mickey McCamish and Wreaths Across Chattanooga want to lay come this December.

The amount they lay is based on the amount of donations, which has been 10 dollars per wreath.

However, Wreath Across America decided for this year’s event, they would raise the price to 17 dollars per wreath.

McCamish says he’s been told that the rise in cost was to cover expenses.

He said, “It cuts out people from participating. 10 dollars per wreath, a lot more people can participate.”

McCamish says that Wreaths Across Chattanooga registered as a 501c nonprofit in 2020, and it gives them the right to fundraise from any source.

They have decided to partner with Food City to keep wreath costs at 10 dollars.

Another issue raised is that according to McCamish, Wreaths Across America is keeping five dollars of each wreath sale that is going straight to their organization.

McCamish said, “That in essence is making a profit, making a fundraising attempt, it is a fundraiser off of the graves of soldiers laid to rest at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.”

For Wreaths Across Chattanooga, they believe that honoring veterans here should not be an act of patriotism, and not a way to make money.

A volunteer on Wreaths Across Chattanooga, Michael Lee, said, “I don’t think there should be any money made off of it, I think the money should be going straight to the wreaths, wreaths only.”

Wreaths Across Chattanooga is not the only local organization upset with the decision.

McCamish said, “I’ve checked with Fort Smith, Arkansas for example, the cemetery there, a very large cemetery, they too have chosen to pull away from Wreaths Across America.”

Those participating hope the change can keep momentum going.

Lee said, “I feel like that helps give the families some help, when they go out there the family sees that their loved one is laid to rest with these wreaths out there every year honoring them. These wreaths are not just wreaths or decorations, they’re an honor.”

We did reach out to Wreaths Across America but have not heard back.

Wreaths Across Chattanooga this year will be placed on December 9th.

You can already donate on their website.