Volunteers Needed to Help ‘Retire’ Wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery

While placing wreaths on headstones at Arlington National Cemetery may be a more festive volunteer activity, there’s still as much of a need for help removing the wreaths.

The cemetery is calling for volunteers to help “retire” the wreaths with dignity this weekend. The removal event is taking place Saturday starting at 8 a.m.

Due to stepped up security all volunteers will need to bring photo IDs.

More from the cemetery’s website:

Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) will hold its annual removal of wreaths, known as “Wreaths Out,” Saturday, Jan. 11 beginning at 8 a.m.

Thousands of volunteers are expected to help remove the more than 245,000 wreaths placed Dec. 14 by approximately 35,000 volunteers. The high volume of volunteers may create traffic congestion and delays on nearby streets and at the cemetery’s entrances.

This is a special day where the wreaths placed at these hallowed grounds during the holiday season in remembrance and honor of our nation’s fallen service members and their families will be respectfully removed by volunteers. We encourage volunteers to use three entrances to access the cemetery which include Memorial Avenue, South gate and for DoD cardholders, the Old Post Chapel gate.

There will be no vehicular access permitted on cemetery grounds until 3 p.m. Family pass holders and volunteers with handicapped placards only will be permitted to park in the Arlington National Cemetery parking garage beginning at 7 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Volunteers must remain in their vehicles until the cemetery opens at 8 a.m. Ride share and taxi drivers using Memorial Avenue must drop off adjacent to the Arlington Cemetery Metro stop.

Tips for Volunteers:

• Give vehicles and heavy equipment the right of way and let them pass in roadways.
• Remove only WAA wreaths. Leave all other wreaths or decorations in place.
• Place wreaths in dumpsters positioned throughout the cemetery and pack them tightly.
• When dumpsters are filled, do not pile wreaths next to them. Carry wreaths to unfilled dumpsters.
• Do not jump or climb on wreaths in dumpsters to compress them

Gates open at 8 a.m. We remind volunteers to have government issued photo ID ready upon entering. Those 16-17 years of age may present school issued ID. Government issued passports will be acceptable for non-U.S. citizens.

— Arlington National Cemetery (@ArlingtonNatl) January 6, 2020