Remembering Every Veteran, One Wreath at a Time
Sedgefield neighbors Jeff and Lyssa Colt are bringing Wreaths Across America to Guilford Memorial Park in Greensboro for the first time—and they hope the community will help honor every veteran laid to rest there.
Sedgefield neighbors Jeff and Lyssa Colt are bringing Wreaths Across America to Guilford Memorial Park in Greensboro for the first time—and they hope the community will help honor every veteran laid to rest there.
Sedgefield neighbors Jeff and Lyssa Colt are bringing Wreaths Across America to Guilford Memorial Park in Greensboro for the first time—and they hope the community will help honor every veteran laid to rest there.
For Sedgefield neighbors Jeff and Lyssa Colt, a simple act of remembrance has grown into a mission they hope will unite the Sedgefield community for years to come.
After nearly two years of work, the couple successfully had Guilford Memorial Park in Greensboro approved as an official Wreaths Across America location for 2026. On Saturday, December 19, volunteers will gather there for the first local ceremony, with an ambitious goal of honoring every veteran laid to rest in the cemetery.
That goal is no small undertaking. Guilford Memorial Park is the final resting place for approximately 3,400 veterans, and each commemorative wreath costs $17. Jeff and Lyssa are now inviting Sedgefield residents, businesses, churches and civic groups to help sponsor wreaths and volunteer for the inaugural event.
Jeff first experienced Wreaths Across America while living in Texas, where he witnessed the impact of communities coming together to honor those who served.
“I was fortunate to be part of the Wreaths Across America program when I lived in Texas and was impressed with the organization,” Jeff says. “My wife and I started two years ago trying to bring it to our local cemetery and were shocked how many veterans were there. We hope to honor as many veterans as we can in our first year. Our early conversations with community partners have been very promising.”
Founded on the mission to Remember, Honor, Teach, Wreaths Across America places fresh balsam fir wreaths on veterans’ graves each December. The tradition is perhaps best known through the thousands of wreaths placed annually at Arlington National Cemetery, but it extends to participating cemeteries and memorial sites across the country, bringing the act of remembrance into local communities.
“Jeff and I were excited when we were approved this year as a 2026 location,” Lyssa says. “We feel like the Sedgefield community will embrace this program. It is a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday season with your family, friends, work or church group and community on the Saturday before Christmas. Please consider joining us!”
The December ceremony is only part of the effort. Volunteers will also be needed in late January to help remove the wreaths from veterans’ graves, providing another opportunity for neighbors to take part even if they are away during the holidays.
Wreaths Across America
Remember. Honor. Teach.
Remember. Honor. Teach.
Saturday, December 19, 2026
Noon
Wreath placement immediately follows the ceremony.
Noon
Wreath placement immediately follows the ceremony.
Hanes Lineberry Funeral Home & Guilford Memorial Park
You can help by:
• Sponsoring a wreath for $17
• Volunteering to help place wreaths
• Inviting family, friends, coworkers and community groups to participate
• Volunteering to help place wreaths
• Inviting family, friends, coworkers and community groups to participate
Visit wreathsacrossamerica.org/NCO697 to sponsor a wreath, register as a volunteer or learn more about the ceremony.