- December 12, 2025
Sgt. Ashley Willis, Col. Skip Keating, Col. Bancroft McKittrick and Lt. J.G. Lawrence Lynch stand by the ceremonial wreaths representing branches of the military during the Wreaths Across America ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Erica Demke, second vice regent for the Capt. James Ormond Chapter of the DAR, speaks during the Wreaths Across America ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Patrick Space Force Base Honor Guard presents the colors during the Wreaths Across America ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Deidra Tober sings the national anthem during the Wreaths Across America ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
People hold their hands to their hearts as Deidra Tober sings the national anthem during the Wreaths Across America ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Mayor Jason Leslie speaks during the Wreaths Across America ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Retired U.S Marine Corp Col. Bancroft McKittrick speaks during the Wreaths Across America ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Col. Skip Keating lays a ceremonial wreath in honor of the Army during the Wreaths Across America ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Col. Bancroft McKittrick lays a ceremonial wreath for the U.S. Marine Corps during the Wreaths Across America ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Lt. J.G. Lawrence Lynch (right) lays a ceremonial wreath for the U.S. Navy as Col. Skip Keating and Col. Bancroft McKittrick stand by during the Wreaths Across America ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Lt. Col. Glenn Harmon lays a ceremonial wreath for the U.S. Air Force during the Wreaths Across America ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Denise Sikes, with the DAR, lays a ceremonial wreath for the U.S. Space Force during the Wreaths Across America ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Chief Warrant Officer Herb Self lays a ceremonial wreath for the U.S. Coast Guard during the Wreaths Across America ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Mayor Jason Leslie lays a ceremonial wreath for first responders during the Wreaths Across America ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Clement Darrow plays Taps on trumpet during the Wreaths Across America ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Gary Lombardo and Jennifer Kimball, with Team Red, White & Blue, help lay wreaths during the Wreaths Across America ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Team RWB Daytona Chapter Captain Ralph Papineau lays a wreath during the Wreaths Across America ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Mayor Jason Leslie lays a wreath during the Wreaths Across America ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Corey Mead helps lay wreaths during the Wreaths Across America ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Bobbie Cheh helps lay wreaths during the Wreaths Across America ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Kelly Crumley, of the Sons of the American Revolution Daytona Ormond Chapter, lays a wreath during the Wreaths Across America ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The droning of a faraway airplane in the sky. The jingle of Col. Bancroft McKittrick's military medals as he laid a ceremonial wreath. Taps and "America the Beautiful."
These were the sounds of the Capt. James Ormond Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution's annual Wreaths Across America ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13. Held for the 10th year, the ceremony honored 250 veteran graves at Hillside Cemetery in Ormond Beach. Nationwide, more than two million volunteers gathered at over 5,200 locations to honor those who served.
"Lying here before us in cemeteries throughout this nation are men and women who gave their lives so that we can live in freedom and without fear," said Kim Barrs, chapter co-chair for Wreaths Across America.
The 2025 theme for Wreaths Across America is "Keep Moving Forward," inspired by the last words of the late Army Capt. Joshua Byers, who was killed in Iraq in 2003.
"The theme 'Keep Moving Forward' serves as a call to action, reminding us that honoring the past must also propel us toward a future of continued service, community and remembrance to encourage communities across the nation to teach younger generations about the cost of freedom, to strengthen the bonds of gratitude for those who serve, and to ensure the sacrifice of our fallen heroes are never forgotten," Ormond Beach Mayor Jason Leslie said as he read a proclamation for the ceremony.
This year's event also featured retired U.S. Marine Corps Col. Bancroft McKittrick as the keynote speaker.
McKittrick, a Vietnam War veteran, spoke to attendees about the origins of Wreaths Across America, which was started in 1992 at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. Over three million wreaths were placed last year during ceremonies.
"It is particularly important that we honor the men and women in Ormond Beach, the surrounding communities and our nation who have answered the call to serve our country through military service," McKittrick said. "The service members we honor today came from all walks of life, but they shared several fundamental qualities. They possessed courage, pride, determination, selflessness, dedication to duty and integrity."
