December 9, 2025 3:50 a.m. 

There is still time to sign up to help with the John Pierson Memorial Wreaths Across America event this Saturday.

It will take place at 1:00 p.m. starting at the Roseburg National Cemetery location on the Veterans Administration campus off Northwest Garden Valley Boulevard. After wreaths are laid there, participants will move to the original Roseburg National Cemetery location on West Harvard Avenue. This year’s ceremony honors the legacy of United States Air Force Veteran John Pierson, whose passion project ignited a local movement.

There are approximately 7,000 veterans laid to rest at the Roseburg National Cemetery. The goal is to place a live balsam wreath on every one of those 7,000 headstones and to say each hero’s name aloud as participants: Remember their sacrifice, honor their service and teach the next generation the value of freedom.

To sign up to volunteer this Saturday or to sponsor a wreath or two for next year’s event, go to: https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/169419

County Commissioner Chris Boice and Shelley Johnson of the local Sea Cadets program talked about the event, on Inside Douglas County Monday on News Radio 93-9 FM and 1240 KQEN. That interview is a KQEN Podcast at www.541radio.com