Knoxville, Tenn. — Thursday, two 18-wheelers loaded with Wreaths Across America wreaths will make their way into Knoxville in preparation for the planned Dec. 13 wreath laying ceremonies to be held at each of the three veteran cemeteries in Knox County.
The semi-trucks will make their way down I-81, onto I-40 and into Knox County under a motorcycle escort organized by Rolling Thunder™ TN Chapter 3. The wreaths and their escort are expected to arrive at Perceptics, 11130 Kingston Pike, at approximately 6 p.m., where they will be stored until the Dec. 13 ceremonies. Once the wreaths arrive, Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett will participate in a brief program focused on the Wreaths Across America effort and its supporters. The media and the public are invited to this event. The program is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., and attendees may begin arriving at 5:30.
At noon on Saturday, Dec. 13, simultaneous wreath laying ceremonies will be held at each of the three veteran cemeteries. Those cemeteries are the East Tennessee State Veteran Cemeteries on Lyons View Pike and Gov. John Sevier Highway, and the Knoxville National Cemetery on Tyson Street.
The public is invited to any of the three ceremonies and to help place wreaths on graves at each location. No RSVP is needed in order to participate.
Last year, Mayor Burchett’s Wreaths Across America effort raised more than $20,000. This year, more than $55,000 were raised in support of Mayor Burchett’s Wreaths Across America effort. In addition to that, other organizations also lead separate Wreaths Across America campaigns in support of the three local veteran cemeteries.
Perceptics made a generous contribution to the Wreaths Across America effort that made it possible for every headstone in the East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery on Gov. John Sevier Highway to receive a wreath. In addition to Perceptics’s donation, Pilot Flying J also made a substantial contribution, along with contribution from many small businesses and organizations around the community.