Albany, IL, Pastor Toni Lucas submitted the press release. She is the area Wreaths Across America Coordinator.
Wreaths Across America (WAA) is the National nonprofit, with a yearlong mission dedicated to remembering the fallen; honoring those who serve; teaching children the value of freedom. The National organization announces “Remember Me” as its official theme for 2026.
The theme comes, as the Nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the United States. WAA says [such] a milestone calls for renewed focus on the individual lives behind America’s military service.
“While we often honor service members collectively, each one has a name, a family, and a story,” says Karen Worcester, Executive Director, WAA. “Their sacrifices are deeply personal, and their stories shape the freedoms we enjoy today.”
The theme draws inspiration from an unexpected source–a line from the film Home Alone 2. The quote states, “Maybe they don’t forget about you, but they forget to remember you.” It underscores the importance of actively remembering the individuals who served, especially those whose stories risk being lost to time.
Through ceremonies, education, and community engagement in 2026, WAA will work to ensure that service members from the Revolutionary War to today are remembered and their stories continue to be told.
We want to collect the stories of forgotten servicemembers in our community. Stories and photos may be emailed to rememberhonorteach@gmail.com. Stories will be added to the Wreaths Across America website. There, everyone can follow, learn about, and share the stories of those who served. Time may have forgotten, but we will not; use the hashtag #RememberMe.
Also, tune in to Wreaths Across America Radio, available on the iHeart Radio app, TuneIn, and the Audacy app, or listen at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/radio. Listen anytime on the Wreaths Radio SoundCloud page.
National Wreaths Across America Day will be held in Albany, IL, on Saturday, December 19, 2026. The free, remembrance ceremony and wreath-laying event is open to all. To support Lusk Cemetery in Albany, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/ILLMCA or contact Pastor Toni Lucas, 270-703-9799, or rememberhonorteach@gmail.com.
About Wreaths Across America
Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony, 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 by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December in communities in all 50 states and beyond. Each $17 sponsorship supports far more than a single wreath. It fuels programs that honor veterans, teach future generations, and give back to communities Nationwide. Visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org to learn more about how you can get involved in your local community.