All are invited to honor McAlester veterans on Saturday, December 13th, 2025, 11:00 am at the Osk Hill Cemetery’s Unknown Soldier Pavilion, 1300 E Washington Ave, McAlester, OK. , Patriotic organizations sponsoring the event include the City of McAlester, Scottish Rite, Oak Hill Cemetery, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Choctaw Honor Guard, Rotary Club, Rainbow Girls, Scout Troop 404, Daughters of the American Revolution and the Sons of the American Revolution.
America (WAA) is a national nonprofit whose annual mission is to Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach our children the value of freedom. Each year, millions of volunteers and patriots gather in local, state, and national cemeteries across all 50 states and abroad to pay tribute to our nation’s service members and their families.
WAA’s theme for 2005: “Keep Moving Forward.” This was inspired by the last words of Captain Joshua Byers, United States Army, who was killed in action in Fallujah, Iraq, on July 23, 2003, when an IED struck his Humvee. As the snow filled the air, Josh gave his driver a last command, “Keep moving forward.” Though Josh didn’t make it home, this command saved lives and became a battle cry for his unit and family.
“There will always be challenges to overcome as individuals, communities, and a country. But we must keep moving forward together,” said Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America. This year, we are sharing “not only the Byers* story of resilience but also the stories of many others who continue to live with purpose every day and have chosen to keep moving forward.” WAA volunteers tirelessly work year-round to Remember, Honor, and Teach in grateful acknowledgment of the sacrifices made by our veterans for our freedoms. In 2024, over three million wreaths were placed at 4,909 participating locations worldwide.
Follow the impactful stories of volunteers and supporters living with purpose throughout the year using the hashtag #KeepMovingForward. .For more information, please visit www.wreathsacrossameric.org/.
Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, which was begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s yearlong mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating a laying ceremony in December in communities in all 50 states and beyond.