SANTA FE — A ceremony honoring fallen and missing service members took place at noon Saturday in Santa Fe, as the city hosted its first-ever Wreaths Across America event. It took place at Alta Loma Cemetery on Ave M.

Organizers said between 75 and 100 volunteers gathered to take part, including Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, along with members of John Wayne DeMolay. Together, they laid approximately 117 wreaths on the graves of service members, ensuring each was remembered during the holiday season.

The ceremony recognized all branches of the U.S. military and paid special tribute to prisoners of war and those missing in action. Volunteers paused to acknowledge the sacrifices made by service members and their families, emphasizing remembrance as the central purpose of the event.

_{Courtesy: 2025 Santa Fe Wreaths Across America – Pictured: John Wayne DeMolay, Scouts 628/6280, Santa Fe Mayor Brandon Noto and County Commissioner Giusti.}

Melinda Hicks, one of the event organizers, said this marked the first time Wreaths Across America has been carried out in Santa Fe. She added that organizers hope to grow the program in the coming years and involve even more members of the community.

To Hicks, the event was extra special, since she, along with others, have service members in her family.

Several local leaders attended the ceremony, including County Commissioner Guisti and Santa Fe Mayor Brandon Noto, both of whom joined attendees in honoring the nation’s veterans.

Santa Fe’s ceremony coincided with similar events held Saturday in nearby cities, including Galveston and League City, where Wreaths Across America has been observed in previous years.