OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Each branch of the U.S. military was recognized Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, as Wreaths Across America made a stop at the Ocala/Marion County Veterans Memorial Park. The caravan of vehicles was given an escort by the Ocala Police Department.
Wreaths Across America, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that plays a role in educating future generations about the values of freedom, picked up the wreaths in Maine by the Canadian border, delivering 21,000 to the Sarasota National Cemetery, said Mike Dengel. It was Dengel’s father, who also goes by Mike, that heard about Wreaths Across America on the radio, called his mother Barbara, and said he wanted to participate in the delivery of wreaths. Dengel’s parents have been involved for the past 14 years, with this being the younger Dengel’s 12th year participating in the process. The Ocala/Marion County Veterans Memorial Park has a special place in Dengel’s heart.
“We were one of four trucks that went from Ocala to Columbia Falls, Maine, where the wreaths are actually made, we loaded the wreaths up and it was negative two (degrees) and drove all the way back to Florida. We had just enough time to wash the trucks and trailers. It was all hands on deck, myself and my parents.” said Dengel. “My father was the one who started this.”
The wreaths were placed by the tablets in the Ocala/Marion County Veterans Memorial Park Military Service Plaza honoring all eight branches of service. Renee Coventry delivered the prayer, prior to the laying of the wreaths.
“We’re privileged to have this young man who lives in this county, take the time out of his busy schedule to go up to Maine to pick up the wreaths and bring them here,” said Ron Oppliger, Friends of the Marion County Veterans Park Foundation. “He always saves extra ones for our veterans park, which is an honor, and we put them in front of each one of the tablets representing all eight branches, and we’re very honored to do that.”