Honoring Our Fallen Soldiers

As the weather gets colder, the days get shorter, and our calendars start to fill up with holiday plans, it’s important to remember those who made it possible for us to celebrate safely with our loved ones. The Rockland chapter of Wreaths Across America is doing just that. 

Jon Draper, an Army Veteran, a representative of the Pearl River Elks, and head of the Rockland Wreaths Across America, has seen just how impactful these wreaths are on the community. He remembered letters received over the years from family members of the deceased who might not have the means to purchase a wreath, thanking the volunteers endlessly for remembering their loved ones. “And that’s why we try to do what we do, to be respectful to those soldiers,” said Draper. 

For Draper, respect is shown even in the smallest of details for the over 1,600 deceased Rockland veterans. For every wreath, there is a volunteer who has been taught how to perfectly place the wreath to give the fallen soldier the utmost amount of honor, highlighting their service years  and names. 

The need for this level of dedication and respect continues to grow. Since 2022, over 300 Rockland County veterans have been lost. 

Jon Draper and his team will be sitting outside of the ShopRite in Pearl River and outside of Rockland Bakery on November 8th & 9th from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. collecting donations for Rockland’s finest. National Wreaths Across America Day will take place on Saturday, December 13, 2025. To volunteer, learn more or to donate, please email jtd7575@yahoo.com A single wreath sponsorship starts at $17.

  Rockland, veterans, WAA, Wreath Across America