Every December, Honoring and Remembering New Mexico Veterans volunteers place thousands of memorial wreaths on veterans’ graves at Santa Fe National Cemetery to honor their service during the winter holiday season.
The 2025 ceremony takes place December 13, with a goal of placing 15,000–20,000 wreaths this year. The ultimate mission is covering all of the more than 77,500 graves.
Thomas Vialpando, the founder of Honoring and Remembering New Mexico Veterans (HRNMV), says, “A very basic need or want by everyone is to be remembered. Let us take the time to do that.”
2025–2026 Santa Fe Wreath Ceremony Schedule
Important Deadline: Last day to sponsor a wreath is November 28, 2025..
Wreath Arrival and Escort Event
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
- Time: 7:15 a.m. gathering time
- Meeting Location: La Bajada Rest Stop (I-25, south of Santa Fe)
- Activity: Volunteers escort the delivery truck carrying thousands of wreaths into Santa Fe
WREATH STAGING DAY FOR VOLUNTEERS
Friday, December 12, 2025
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Location: Santa Fe National Cemetery
Activity: Volunteers are invited to place wreaths in preparation for the Wreaths for New Mexican Veterans Ceremony
Wreath Placement Day and Memorial Ceremony
Saturday, December 13, 2025
- Ceremony Start Time: 10 a.m.
- Location: Santa Fe National Cemetery
- Activity: Memorial ceremony followed by wreath placement on veterans’ graves (held in all weather conditions)
- Who Can Attend: Open to the public; families and children welcome
Wreath Retrieval Day
Saturday, January 17, 2026
- Activity: Volunteers respectfully gather wreaths during Martin Luther King Jr. weekend
- Location: Santa Fe National Cemetery
How to Honor Veterans at Santa Fe National Cemetery
Sponsor a Memorial Wreath
Each sponsored fresh evergreen wreath costs $17 and is placed on a veteran’s grave with care and respect.
Sponsorship Deadline: November 28, 2025.
Wreath Sponsorship Options:
- Individual Wreath: $17 (honors one veteran)
- Family Package: $68 (4 wreaths)
- Community Package: $153 (9 wreaths)
- Business/Organization Packages: Custom quantities available for larger sponsors
- In-Kind Support: Creative and logistical contributions welcome
100% of wreath sponsorships stay in New Mexico and directly benefit Santa Fe National Cemetery.
How Sponsorship Works:
- Select your sponsorship level online or by phone
- Receive tax-deductible donation receipt — HRVNM is a registered 501(c)(3)
- Your sponsored wreath is placed at Santa Fe National Cemetery on December 13, 2025
- Sponsor names appear on the website and ceremony programs (with permission)
- Privacy preferences are always respected
Tax Benefits: All sponsorships are fully tax-deductible. Honoring and Remembering New Mexico Veterans provides receipts for all donations as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
View corporate sponsorship opportunities.
Volunteer at the Ceremony
Volunteers are needed for three key events: the wreath escort, placement day, and retrieval day.
Volunteer Opportunities Include:
- Escorting the wreath delivery truck
- Placing wreaths on graves during the December ceremony
- Retrieving wreaths in January
- Supporting event logistics and coordination
Student volunteers can receive service-hour documentation for school requirements.
Spread the Word
Share information about the Santa Fe veterans wreath ceremony with your community, workplace, church, or social groups. Help ensure more New Mexico veterans receive recognition for their service.
About Honoring and Remembering New Mexico Veterans
The Story Behind the Mission
Honoring and Remembering New Mexico Veterans (HRVNM) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2019 by Santa Fe native Thomas Vialpando.
The organization grew from one man’s personal commitment to honor his father and family members buried at Santa Fe National Cemetery into New Mexico’s largest veteran tribute event.
How HRVNM Started
Thomas Vialpando, though never in military service himself, understood the importance of remembrance. Walking through Santa Fe National Cemetery, he saw thousands of graves that went unrecognized each year. This inspired him to create a meaningful way for the community to honor veterans together.
Growth Since 2019:
- 2019: 2,300 wreaths placed by 75 volunteers
- 2023: 9,600 wreaths placed by 750 volunteers
- 2025 Goal: 15,000–20,000 wreaths placed by 1,200+ volunteers
- Ultimate Mission: Cover all current 77,500+ graves at Santa Fe National Cemetery
What Makes HRVNM Different
As an independent, Santa Fe-based nonprofit, HRVNM focuses solely on honoring veterans at Santa Fe National Cemetery. The organization operates with complete transparency, ensuring all donations stay in New Mexico and directly support the wreath ceremony and cemetery tribute efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are wreath sponsorships tax-deductible?
Yes, all wreath sponsorships are fully tax-deductible. Honoring and Remembering New Mexico Veterans is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and provides receipts for all donations.
Will my name appear as a sponsor?
Sponsor names appear on the HRVNM website and in ceremony programs with permission. Privacy preferences are always respected, and you can choose to remain anonymous.
Can businesses and organizations sponsor wreaths?
Yes (highly encouraged), individuals, families, businesses, civic organizations, and groups can all sponsor wreaths. Custom quantities are available for larger sponsors, and in-kind creative and logistical support is also welcome.
What is Honoring and Remembering New Mexico Veterans (HRVNM)?
HRVNM is an independent Santa Fe-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by Thomas Vialpando in 2019. The organization coordinates the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Santa Fe National Cemetery, bringing together volunteers and sponsors to honor veterans.
When is the deadline to sponsor a wreath?
The last day to sponsor a wreath for the 2025 ceremony is November 28, 2025. Orders must be placed by this date to ensure wreaths arrive in time for the December 13 placement ceremony.
When is the 2025 Santa Fe National Cemetery wreath ceremony?
The main ceremony and wreath placement occurs Saturday, December 13, 2025, beginning at 10 a.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery. Rain, snow, or shine.
How much does it cost to sponsor a wreath for a veteran’s grave?
Each wreath costs $17, with package options available including 4 wreaths for $68 or 9 wreaths for $153.
Can children and families volunteer at the wreath ceremony?
Yes, the Santa Fe veterans wreath ceremony welcomes families, children, students, civic groups, and businesses as volunteers.
Where does wreath sponsorship money go?
All donations stay in New Mexico and directly support wreath placement at Santa Fe National Cemetery.
Do student volunteers receive service hours?
Yes, student participants can receive documentation for community service hours required by schools.
What happens if there is bad weather on December 13?
The wreath placement ceremony proceeds rain, snow, or shine. Volunteers should dress for winter weather conditions.
Get Involved: Honor New Mexico Veterans This December
Visit HonoringandRememberingNewMexicoVeterans.org to sponsor a wreath, learn more about the ceremony, or find out how to participate.
Join the effort this December to honor veterans in New Mexico with dignity, gratitude, and remembrance.
This article was posted by Jess
