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2025 So Far
4,179 Wreaths Sponsored
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Wreaths Across America serving Des Moines County

We are currently in the Veteran's wreath fundraising stage of our event planning. If you would like us to come and speak to your group, office, club, or other organization, please contact KCPS RADIO at (319) 754-6698. We are always excited to share the Wreaths Across America story with members of the community!


REMEMBER the Fallen. . . HONOR those who Serve. . . TEACH our children the value of Freedom.

Welcome to the IA0064 - KCPS Radio's Wreaths Across America Page serving Des Moines County Iowa.

On December 13, 2025 at 11:00 am (Wreath Placement Immediately Following Ceremony), IA0064 - KCPS Radio will be helping several local cemeteries to Remember and Honor our veterans by laying Remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country's fallen heroes.

Please help us honor and remember as many fallen heroes as possible by sponsoring remembrance wreaths, volunteering on Wreaths Day, or inviting your family and friends to attend with you.

Thank you so much for supporting the IA0064 - KCPS Radio and Wreaths Across America for Des Moines County, Iowa!


Wreaths Across America Day Volunteer Guide at Aspen Grove Cemetery

10:00am
· Section Leaders will meet for a briefing at the ceremony tent.

10:15- 10:45am
· Volunteers will be directed to the NW corner of Aspen Grove Cemetery (2043 Sunnyside Ave, Burlington) where the newest Veterans Memorial is located. Assemble near the tent. PARKING will be along the roadways in the Cemetery. Overflow parking will be at Sunnyside Elementary School across from the Aspen Grove Cemetery entrance.

11:00am
· At the Veteran's Memorial we will have a short Wreaths Across America Ceremony. Importantly, we will demonstrate the proper way to lay the wreaths and say the names. At the conclusion of the demonstration we will release “grave specific” family members first. Then we will release volunteers to their choice of sections of the cemetery to place the wreaths.
· The cemetery will be separated into (20) sections for the wreath placement. Volunteers will either walk or drive to their section based on distance. The number of wreaths needed will be pre-placed in each section.
· Each veteran gravesite within the sections will have a small orange locator flag. After performing the proper wreath placement procedure, the volunteer will remove the orange flag and return the flag to the bucket located near the wreaths for that section.
· Each section will have a Section Leader (usually in a yellow volunteer vest.) These individuals will be available to direct volunteers and answer questions.
OTHER STUFF:
*Plan to walk, a lot. Plan for the cold, the rain, the snow, and generally being outdoors for 2-3 hours total. Wear appropriate winter gear and hiking boots.
*We have limited bathroom access. Bathrooms are located in the Aspen Grove Office.
* Please make sure everyone who wants to place a wreath, gets a chance to place a wreath. We're not in a hurry so please take time to perform a meaningful moment with each veteran.
*When all wreaths have been distributed, the two Location Coordinators (Chip & Mike) will perform one last double-check to make sure every grave has a wreath.

ANY QUESTIONS? Please email kcps@aol.com

Sponsor Wreaths

Click "Sponsor Wreaths" to sponsor a wreath and help us reach our goal of honoring every veteran at the cemetery.

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Volunteer

Click here if you would like to participate in the wreath laying ceremony on Wreaths Day at the cemetery.

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Karen Worcester's November Message

More than 700 new locations will participate on December 13!

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In Memoriam
by Teresa A. Bence for Joseph Riffel, Honored by Aspen Grove Cemetery

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In Memoriam
by Richard & Jean Perry for Cpl. Richard E Detken, Honored by Aspen Grove Cemetery

Check out 4 "Remember" recent messages from our supporters. Click "View Remember Wall" to see them all.

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Location Information

IAASPN - Aspen Grove Cemetery
2043 Sunnyside Ave
Burlington, IA 52601-2532, United States
Click here for the Aspen Grove Cemetery Page
Veteran Graves: 3,600
Coverage Goal: 4,150
Wreaths So Far: 4,380
Ceremony On: December 13, 2025 at 11:00 am
Ceremony At: 
Wreath Placement: Immediately Following Ceremony

Location Coordinator: John Giannettino, Michael Bloomer, Tina Rios

Directions to Cemetery

Navigation systems do an adequate job finding the cemetery. When you arrive, please follow the people and signs to the site of the ceremony itself.

Parking Instructions

Enter at Sunnyside Avenue gate and park in any available spot. Overflow parking is at Sunnyside School. Stop at the check-in table on the west side of the Aspen Grove office, and you will be given instructions.

Ceremony and Volunteer Information

We are happy that you are willing to help with our Wreath Across America ceremony at Aspen Grove Cemetery. Please do not forget to register to volunteer! That way you will get all updates about the cemetery itself.

Here are some things to remember about the ceremony:

  • Everyone of all ages and backgrounds is welcome.
  • Please help ensure that all participants get the opportunity to place a wreath.
  • Please follow the location coordinators instructions on where to place wreaths, as well as "how" they should be placed.
  • We especially appreciate volunteers willing to help clean-up. Please check in with the location coordinator if you are interested in helping with the clean-up.

The most important thing to remember is to have a wonderful experience participating in the ceremony and thank you so much for help Wreaths achieve our mission to remember, honor and teach.

Our Locations

IAASPN - Aspen Grove Cemetery

Welcome to Aspen Grove Cemetery and thank you deeply for helping us with our goal to honor as many veterans as possible on Wreaths Across America Day, December 13th. Please click "View" to learn more about our effort or to volunteer to help or click "Sponsor" to purchase wreaths that will be laid on the graves of our fallen heroes by our loyal volunteers.

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IASDHT - Sacred Heart Cemetery

Welcome to Sacred Heart Cemetery and thank you deeply for helping us with our goal to honor as many veterans as possible on Wreaths Across America Day, December 13th. Please click "View" to learn more about our effort or to volunteer to help or click "Sponsor" to purchase wreaths that will be laid on the graves of our fallen heroes by our loyal volunteers.

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Sponsor

We support 8 locations around the world. Click "View Our Locations" to see them all.

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