Despite cold temperatures, snowy grounds and a pretty heavy snowfall which arrived during the event, Webster’s 2025 Wreaths Across America Day was once again a success.
On Saturday afternoon, several hundred adults, children, veterans, active military and first responders gathered at Webster Union Cemetery to honor our veterans, proving once again what a generous and caring community Webster is.
The ceremony began promptly at noon. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem and a moment of prayer, local Wreaths Across America coordinator Cherie Wood explained how Wreath Day is not just a local occurrence, but was happening at the exact same time at almost 5,000 cemeteries across the country and in foreign battlefields.
She said,
Today, more than 4 million people will be meeting at noon, just as we are, to place wreaths. At this moment wreaths are being placed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Almost five million wreaths will be placed on veterans’ graves today, including here in Webster.
We have a big job ahead of us today. Because of the amazing heart of the Webster community, today we will be placing 2,100 veteran wreaths in four Webster cemeteries. … This should give us amazing pride as a community.
You should also know that the Town of Webster has caught national attention, In 2024, Webster ranked second in the country for the number of veteran wreaths placed in one town.
Following Wood’s remarks, representatives from each of our nation’s armed services placed ceremonial wreaths in memory of those who served, and those who are still listed as Prisoners of War or MIA.
Family members of veterans who are resting at Webster Union Cemetery were invited to enter the grounds first to place wreaths on their loved one’s graves, followed a few minutes later by the rest of the volunteers. Wood encouraged each participant to say the veteran’s name out loud before placing the wreath, and take a moment to thank him or her for their service.
She explained,
It’s a small act that goes a long way toward keeping the memory of our veterans alive. Wreaths Across America has a saying: A person dies twice. Once when they take their last breath, then again when their name is said for the very last time. Many of our veterans no longer have family to remember them. Today, we, the Webster community, will become their family. They will not be forgotten. Not on our watch.
After placing the wreaths at Webster Union, volunteers were invited to drive to Webster Rural, Union Hill and Holy Trinity cemeteries to help place those wreaths.
Wood added that this year’s ceremony was dedicated to Private William McFarland, “a Revolutionary War patriot who has never been honored for his service to our country.”
In 1772, 16-year old William McFarland told his parents he couldn’t just watch others fight for independence. He had to do his part. So William joined the Continental Army and fought with General George Washington. After serving for six years, William was discharged from West Point with high distinction. In thanks, he was given farmland in what would become Webster, NY. His children and grandchildren carried on his legacy by starting our town government. Webster is the amazing town it is because of him. Private McFarland was one of our first veterans, and until today, 253 years later, has never been thanked for his service.
Private McFarland’s headstone is located in the oldest part of Webster Union cemetery.
Thank you to everyone who helped organize this moving event, and to all of the community who came out to lay wreaths. I especially loved seeing entire families participate. What a great way to teach children about how important it is to remember and recognize our nation’s veterans.
Click here to see an entire Facebook gallery of photos from the day. (Or if you don’t have Facebook, click here.)
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(posted 12/14/2025)
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