Wreaths Across America Event, Saturday, December 17

11/23/2022

**Important Access and Safety Information for Visitors**


ARLINGTON, VA – On Saturday, Dec. 17, the annual Wreaths Across America (WAA) event will be held at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) and the Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery (SAHNC). ANC will open to visitors at 8 a.m., and SAHNC will open at noon.

“We are excited to once again welcome visitors to Arlington National Cemetery for this special day honoring service members and their families during the holiday season,” said Executive Director Karen Durham-Aguilera.  

The safety and security of our visitors and employees during this event is our top priority. Visitors should anticipate large crowds and difficulty driving vehicles in the vicinity of Arlington National Cemetery due to road closures.

No vehicular traffic will be permitted inside of the cemetery on Dec. 17, and there will be no vehicle parking for the general public in the ANC Welcome Center parking garage. Only family pass holders and those with handicapped placards will be permitted to park in the garage. We recommend visitors use public transportation or a ride share service for travel to and from the cemetery.

All visitors will be required to pass through the cemetery’s security screening process before entering the cemetery. Prohibited items include: large bags or backpacks, firearms and weapons of any type, laser pointers, aerosol containers, soda cans, coolers, picnic baskets, tripods, lighters, screwdrivers (or similar tools), air horns, personal protection sprays and insulated beverage containers. Clear plastic water bottles are permitted.

“This is a meaningful holiday tradition to reflect on the service and sacrifice of those who served our nation,” said Superintendent Charles “Ray” Alexander. “We encourage all our visitors to plan ahead and visit our website and social media platforms for event updates to ensure a safe and seamless visit.”


Event Details

•  The Arlington National Cemetery entrances – Memorial Ave., Ord & Weitzel gate and the Service Complex gate – will open to the public at 8 a.m.

•  ANC will use a timed-entry ticketing system. Registration and ticket entry is required to participate in this event. Those interested can register here: Wreaths Across America 2022 (arlingtoncemetery.mil).

•  Entry times for the cemetery are 8 a.m. or 9 a.m.

•  All visitors must pass through the cemetery’s security screening process before entering the cemetery.

•  Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall (JBM-HH) will be accessible to DoD ID card holders only; however, parking will be limited to the Tri-Services parking lot located across from Spates Community Center. Due to ongoing construction, the sole entry point to the cemetery from JBM-HH will be the Old Post Chapel gate. 


Using Metro to Access the Cemetery

Visitors are encouraged to access the cemetery via the Arlington Cemetery metro stop, which will take you to the main Memorial Ave. entrance. There are additional access points via the Rosslyn or Pentagon stations. From these locations, it is an approximately 15-minute walk to one of the cemetery entrances.

•  If exiting at the Rosslyn Metro stop, you must enter the cemetery via the Ord & Weitzel gate by walking along the North Meade Street sidewalks.

•  If exiting at the Pentagon Metro stop, you must enter through the cemetery’s Service Complex gate entrance. 

Visitors traveling by Metro are encouraged to purchase fare ahead of time. The best option, to avoid lines, is SmarTrip mobile pay: https://wmata.com/fares/MobilePay/index.cfm.


Pentagon Parking

•  Limited general public parking will be available at the Pentagon North and South Parking lots. Wreaths Across America volunteers and signage will be positioned in the parking lots guiding visitors to walk to the nearest cemetery entrances.

•  For those parking in Pentagon South Parking, we recommend walking to the cemetery’s Service Complex Gate entrance for screening and entry to the grounds.

•  For those parking in Pentagon North Parking, we recommend walking to the cemetery’s main entrance on Memorial Ave.


Family Pass Holders/Handicapped Placards

•  ONLY family pass holders and those with handicapped placards will be allowed to park in the ANC Welcome Center parking garage between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m.

•  Family pass holders and those with handicapped plates/placards will need to go to Pentagon North Parking, where their pass will be verified. They will then be directed to the ANC Welcome Center parking garage. After 7 a.m., drivers will be directed to other parking options.

•  Family pass holders and handicapped persons parking in the ANC Welcome Center garage will not be allowed to exit until pedestrian traffic on Memorial Ave. is cleared, which is estimated to be 10 a.m. or later.


Ride Share Drop-off Locations

For those volunteers who plan to arrive via ride share (i.e. Uber, Lyft), the drop-off location is 880 Army-Navy Drive. From this point, visitors will need to walk to the cemetery’s Service Complex gate entrance.


For the latest information and event details, please visit www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/waa and follow us on social media @ArlingtonNatl for real-time updates on the day of the event. Visitors are also encouraged to download the ANC Explorer mobile app available for iOS and Android.