Okeechobee Congregation Partners With Eagle Riders in Wreaths Across America Event

The Rev. Kay Mueller, member of the Standing Committee for the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida and rector, Church of Our Saviour, Okeechobee, delivered the invocation and benediction at the Wreaths Across America Day ceremony held Dec. 13 at Evergreen Cemetery in Okeechobee. This year’s ceremony was the 10th held at Evergreen.

“There was a feeling of unity and hope as we pledged allegiance to the flag,” Mueller explained. “There was a sense of peace as the program’s ceremonial aspects were carried out with dignity. There was also a feeling of mission in action as we came together ‘to remember, to honor, and to teach.’”

On the same day, millions of volunteers – one-third of whom were children – remembered the heroes as they said their names aloud, placing over 3.1 million sponsored veterans’ wreaths in corresponding ceremonies at 5,598 locations nationwide. In addition, eight ceremonial wreaths were placed on stands during the ceremony at Evergreen, representing all branches of military service as well as prisoners of war and those listed as missing in action.

The mission of Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit organization, is “Remember the fallen. Honor those who serve. Teach the next generation the value of freedom,” shortened as “Remember, Honor, Teach.” The annual ceremony serves to help people “remember”; the placement of each wreath is accompanied by calling out the veteran’s name, never to be forgotten, which becomes “honor”; and involving youth and others in the ceremonies accomplishes “teach.”

The first Wreaths Across America Day was designated on Dec. 13, 2008, when Congress passed a resolution to recognize this day as a national observance to honor veterans.

Local coordinators Joan Roden and Timmie Oldigies, along with the Okeechobee Sheriff’s Office, local veterans organizations and the Fraternal Order of Eagles Cypress Hut No. 4509, were primarily involved in sponsoring this event, from fundraising and public awareness to the ceremonial agenda and the laying of wreaths.

“Each wreath costs $17, and over 1,300 wreaths were laid on veteran gravesites in the three cemeteries in Okeechobee: Evergreen, Basinger and Fort Drum,” Roden said. “Our volunteers and the community visit each gravesite and lay a wreath as a gift to each veteran as a symbol of the gift of freedom they have given us.” 

The Eagle Riders are actively involved in the fundraising, escorting the wreaths through the city to the cemetery behind Okeechobee sheriff’s deputies and assisting with the placement of wreaths on gravesites. Church of Our Saviour partners with the Eagle Riders on their community projects as requested, a relationship that began after the first of three “Blessing of the Bikes” events.

“Many of the riders are veterans and/or have family members buried locally who served – some killed in the line of duty,” Mueller said. “The light of Christ within them shines through their dedication to respectfully serving the community through events such as this.”

Reverence filled the day. “Police escorts were respectfully already in place to hold the traffic,” the rector explained. “At the cemetery, there was an anticipation and expectancy (very similar to our Advent season) awaiting the arrival of the military and motorcycle escort of the Sheriff’s Department transporting the wreaths. As the honorary wreaths were placed on the empty chairs draped in white, there was a palpable stillness and solemnity. The chairs were placed for the deceased members of the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and POW/MIA. The strains of ‘Taps’ on the trumpet evoked chills and deep reflection on the ultimate sacrifice. ‘Amazing Grace’ was played on the bagpipes and was arrestingly beautiful.”

Mueller also laid wreaths on the graves as a part of the event, praying for the departed veterans and their families as she did so. She said she looks forward to the January 2026 Diocesan Convention and the “Beyond the Walls: Serving Those Who Serve” educational session to be presented by the Rt. Rev. Ann Ritonia, bishop suffragan, Armed Forces and Special Ministries.

Mueller saw Jesus throughout the event. She explained, “John 15:13: ‘Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.’ In their love for God and country, justice and peace, these heroes defended human rights, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Christ also calls us to ‘always pray and not give up’ (Luke 18:1). Not only did we pray for those who died in the cause of freedom, but we also asked God to embolden us to work for peace and justice.”