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Wreaths Across America returns to New Bern cemeteries Dec. 13; alderman pledges $1,000 ARP support
Summary
Kevin Yates, volunteer coordinator, told the Board of Aldermen the Dec. 13 Wreaths Across America event will cover four New Bern cemeteries and asked for city support with logistics; an alderman pledged $1,000 from ARP funds, and the board approved assistance requests.
Kevin Yates, volunteer location coordinator for Wreaths Across America at New Bern National Cemetery, briefed the Board of Aldermen on the organization's annual event and local logistics on Oct. 14.
Yates said the city will host wreath‑placement ceremonies at the New Bern National Cemetery, Cedar Grove, Evergreen and Greenwood on Dec. 13, beginning at noon, and that each sponsored wreath costs $17 to deliver to New Bern. He said the program has 6,775 headstones at the National Cemetery and more than 1,000 interments with no known next of kin; volunteers help place and later retire wreaths in January. Yates asked for city help with parking, bus transportation from an off‑site staging area and dumpsters for wreath removal.
An alderman offered $1,000 from their American Rescue Plan allocation to help purchase wreaths for local cemeteries; the board took a voice vote and recorded the funding pledge on the record. City staff indicated they would provide direction and assistance with logistics as requested.
Yates also noted the program's fundraising challenges after the cancellation of a local festival that had been a previous fundraiser and encouraged civic groups, schools and veterans organizations to volunteer. The ceremony organizer said the community ceremony teaches remembrance and honors veterans.
Next step: The coordination details (staging, parking and transport) will be handled between the volunteer organization and city staff ahead of the Dec. 13 event.
