Board of Trustees
Wayne Hanson, Chairman
Born in Concord, NH but moved to Maine in the third grade, so Maine is home. Graduated from Bangor HS and received a BS in Education at the University of Maine Orono. After 7 years of ROTC during high school and college received 2nd Lt Commission in the US Army, Military Police Corps. Served in the Army from 1967-1971 with assignments in Alaska, Vietnam and Alabama. Rose to rank of Captain before leaving service. Received two Bronze Stars for service and achievement in Viet Nam.
After military duty was a criminal investigator with the Office of Inspector General, US Dept. of Agriculture in GA, NC, NY and DC. Transferred after 10 years to be a criminal investigator in DC with the US Dept. of Labor, where he spent 20 years until mandatory retirement in 2002. he began working with WAA through his involvement in the Maine State Society. He is married and has two grown children.
Sir Stanley Wojtusik, Vice Chair
Past National President of Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, it was Sir Stanley’s tireless efforts that paved the way for Battle of the Bulge veterans to be honored. Just recently he spear-headed the efforts which led to the veteran’s monument now erected at Arlington National Cemetery. The Arlington memorial is among at least a half-dozen that Wojtusik has played a role in putting up since 1994, from Valley Forge to Cape Cod to coastal Virginia, the Army War College in Carlisle, Pa., three in Massachusetts, as well as monuments at Fort Monroe, Va., and Fort Meade, Md. He has spent thousands of hours promoting the recognition of American Veterans.
In a prestigious position for a foreigner, Sir Stanley was knighted with the Medal of Knight in the Order of Leopold by GUY VERHOFSTADT, Prime Minister of Belgium. And in a second ceremony, Sir Stanley was conferred the Medal of Knight in the Order of the Oak Crown, by HER EXCELLENCY OCTAVIE MODERT, Secretary of State for Culture of Luxembourg.
Lt. Col. Wayne Merritt
Served in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War. Presently a Major with the Civil Air Patrol, Director of Maine Wing CAP Emergency Services, Deputy Director of Cadets ME. 75th Squadron, and Co-Director and Board Member of Wreaths Across America™. Father of six children.
John O’Leary
Born in Bangor, ME and raised in CT, John moved back to Maine in 1986.Currently living in Norway, ME with his wife of 18 years Rhoda(Bunny). he has two stepsons in the Air National Guard and one grandson. John served in the Air Force from 1971-1974. He worked as an electrician since moving back to Maine and in 2003 retired due to an injury. He is a member of the Patriot Guard Riders since 2006 and is currently ride Captain for Oxford County. He is also the Patriot Guard Ride Captain for the Wreaths Across America™ Escort to the Arlington project.
Joseph Tibbetts
A former Representative to Maine’s State Legislature , Joe Tibbetts was born in Columbia Falls, Maine. After high school he entered the Army and later became a police officer for the Old Town police department. After his service with Old Town, he became a Maine State Trooper. After retiring from the state police he ran successfully for the Sheriff’s office in Washington County. Joe left the sheriff’s office and was elected to the Maine Legislature. Joe resides in Columbia with his wife Sharon.
Edith T. Nowels
Edith is Editor and Publisher of The Ardennes Voice, the monthly publication of Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge. The Monmouth County, NJ native is one of nine children born in the family farmhouse located in the town of New Monmouth. Recipient of several typing awards affording the position of personal typist for Pulitzer Prize Author/Historian John Toland. (Books in entirety, i.e., Battle, the Story of the Bulge; The Last 100 Days; But Not In Shame; Adolf Hitler; Dillinger…). Secretary to Commanding Officer, US Army Hospital/Patterson Army Hospital, Fort Monmouth, NJ; Ghost Writer and secretarial assistant to former National President, Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Inc. and contributing partner, identified in the Official Congressional Record, written in to law by President George W. Bush, placement of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Memorial located in Arlington National Cemetery. Recipient of Legion of Honor Award, Chapel of the Four Chaplains. Wife, mother, grandmother and proud sister of Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Cpl Horace Marvin “Bud” Thorne, 9th Armored CCB, KIA, 12/21/44 during WWII Battle of the Bulge in Belgium. Devotes every waking hour as a voice for those silenced by war. Currently resides in Brielle, New Jersey.
Ron Sailor
Ron is a member of the Maine State American Legion. Born in Orono, Maine, he graduated George Stevens Academy in Blue Hill, received B.S. in accounting from Husson College in 1968 and worked for Great Northern Paper Company and the IRS before becoming full-time with the Maine Air National Guard in Bangor. He held many positions with the MeANG including Comptroller, Master Navigator before retiring in 1995 as Chief of Staff for the Adjutant General in Augusta with the rank of Colonel. He has served as the Department Adjutant for the American Legion in Maine since 1999, representing 26,000 legionnaires in 172 posts throughout the state. He’s been married since 1967, and has two children and five grandchildren.
Pamela W. Slaven-Lee, DNP, FNP-C
Dr. Slaven-Lee received her undergraduate and Master’s degrees from the University of Maine before going on to earn a doctorate degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. There she studied the impact of operational deployment on military families. In addition to her clinical work, she served as an Assistant Professor at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. She currently lives in North Carolina where her husband, Captain Ho Kyu Lee, is the Tactical Air Operations Center Detachment Commander, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point.
Sarah J. Worcester
Sarah received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology (cum laude) from Husson College. And is currently working on Masters degree of Science in Human Nutrition from the University of Bridgeport. She formerly owned and ran her own lobster fishing boat and is currently lobster fishing part-time. She is happily married with two children. She volunteers at the Women’s Health Resource Library in Milbridge, Maine.
Renee Saunders Worcester- Acting Secretary
Renee graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1999, attended the University of Maine at Farmington and Eastern Maine Technical College and has an Associates Degree in Medical Transcription. Previously employed at Down East Community Hospital and Arnold Memorial Medical Center, she is currently employed as the shipping manager at Worcester Wreath Company. A former high school soccer coach, she is married and has two children.
Patrick Simmons
Senior Director of Logistics, Walmart Stores, Inc. Bentonville, Arkansas, Pat had almost 10 years of active federal service in the US Army 1990-1999, 2 years in the South Carolina National Guard 2000-2001, serving in the Armor, Infantry and Logistics Branches. He graduated Cum Laude in 1990 from Kent State University, Kent OH, and received the Distinguished Military Graduate George C. Marshall Leadership Award. He was Commander of ROTC Battalion, Captain-Ranger Challenge Team. He serves as Senior Director of Logistics for Walmart Stores, Inc., and is married with 2 children.
Mark E. Davis
Founder and CEO of Veterans & Family Memorial Care, he began VFMC in 2008 as a public relations and community outreach company designed specifically for family and independently owned funeral homes. Prior to forming VFMC, he opened and operated Horizon Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Ft. Myers, Florida. A licensed Funeral Director with nearly 35 years experience, he graduated from the Miami-Dade College of Mortuary Science in 1978 and was honored to be invited and attend an Executive MBA class on Entrepreneurial Business Valuation at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business.
Col. Daniel M. Leclair
A 21 year veteran of the US Air Force., Dan has been involved with Wreaths Across America since 2006. During 2008 he served as Commander of the 77th Composite Squadron CAP located in Auburn/Lewiston Maine, and currently serves as the Commander of the Maine Wing Civil Air Patrol. Awards include Defense Meritorious Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster, Joint Service Commendation Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with one silver oak leaf cluster, among many others. He lives in Maine with his wife of 34 years and two dogs.
James F. Farrell
General Transportation Manager Walmart Stores, Inc. Lewiston, Maine, Jim has been a Professional Logistician for the past 20 years. He graduated from the Caldor Executive Training Program in 1990, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia and attended the University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY. Awards include 2008 Transportation Office of the Year, Walmart Private Fleet Logistics Division, Walmart Stores Inc., 1997 Outstanding Scholar Defense Logistics Agency, U.S. Department of Defense, Richmond, VA. He lettered Varsity Football University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, is married with 3 children.
Ruth Stonsifer
Ruth Stonesifer lives in southeastern Pennsylvania. Originally from Middletown, Delaware, Ruth received her Bachelor’s of Science in Home Economics from the University of Delaware.
She devoted 25 years of her life as a potter and then as a wearable art Craftsman and eight years as the Executive Director of the PA Guild of Craftsmen. She is currently self-employed as a long-arm quilter, instructs quilting classes, and runs a Quilts of Valor program making presentation quilts for the wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Medical Center
Ruth’s son, Kristofor, was deployed as an Army Ranger closely following the September 11 attacks on US soil. Specialist Stonesifer was killed in action during Operation Enduring Freedom on 19 October 2001. Her loss compelled Ruth to become dynamically involved with American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.
She began her journey within the organization as a volunteer Director of Publication for the Gold Star Mothers newsletter and website www.goldstarmoms.com. She served as National President 2009-2010.In the Dept of PA she is the Dept Treasurer and the North Penn Chapter President.
“PA Hometown Heroes” banners, commemorative PA license plates, and a campaign to have every state in the union with some type of Gold Star Family awareness plate in the hopes it will raise public awareness and support for her fellow Gold Star Mothers, as well as sustain their fundraising efforts that are used to assist veterans and military.
In addition to being a proud Gold Star Mother, Ruth is also a proud mother of retired Army Chief Warrant Officer Frederic Stonesifer, and three very active grandchildren.
Advisory Board Members
Scott DeMasi
Location Leader for Houston National Cemetery, Houston Texas
Born April 19, 1968 in Houston, Texas. I spent my youth in Humble, a Northeast suburb of Houston, with my 5 brothers and sisters and my folks. I went to school at the University of North Texas and received my degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. From there I have spent my entire career in a variety of different restaurant or food related capacities. From running my own restaurant, to working for the corporate side, and then to the supply chain side. I currently am the Vice President for Maher Marketing, a food broker covering the Texas markets. Along the way I managed to get married to my wonderful wife Susan, who happened to be one of my waitresses. We are celebrating our 15th anniversary this year. We have two awesome kids, Katie who is turning 7, and Alex who just turned 10. Alex was the catalyst for involvement and reason for the growth in WAA in the Houston area. I couldn’t be more proud. God has dealt me a pretty fair hand and me having the opportunity to give a little back by WAA is truly an honor.
Randy Kluj
American Legion, 14th District Commander
Married-39 years to Janet; Son, Randall S Kluj, age 29;
AH64 Apache Attack Helicopter Pilot, 1st Calvary-Food Hood, Texas
The American Legion Department of Maine 14th District Commander 2010-2011
Department 2nd Vice Commander 2007-2008; Past Commander Post #41 for 3 years 2004-2007; Chairman of the Troop Greeters Liaison Committee 2006-08; Milo Post #41 member. East Brunswick, N.J. Police Department; Detective Narcotics Unit; Patrolman.
Training Officer; Retired-25years of service. U.S. Navy 1966-1970, Petty Officer 3rd Class-Crew Chief/Gunner UH-1 Huey, Vietnam June 67-June 68, Combat Air Crew Wings, 28 Air Medals, Presidential & Navy Unit Medals.
Kevin Haley
My wife is Miriam and we have two children — daughter Emily (12years old) and son William (8 years old). We live in Portland, Maine. I had two brothers in the United States Air Force William Patrick Haley E-9 SMSGT (Deceased buried at Arlington) and Patrick James Haley Retired E-6…My other brother is Dr Timothy Haley who is an Emergency Physician.
I have dedicated my life to serving others (learned from morals taught by my Mom and Dad and my education at Cheverus) through service as a Police Officer with the City of Portland, for the last 14 years and as an athletic coach for the Cheverus Swimming & Diving team for the past 24 years. I am a Cheverus Alumni Board member, I am the liaison for the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Portland Lock-Up event, and as the primary volunteer organizer for Wreaths Across America @ Cheverus Stop an annual event honoring our fallen heroes buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Within the Portland Police Department, I have served as an F.T.O. (field training officer) for new recruits, a hostage negotiator, a member of the Police Department’s Honor Guard, and a member for the Department’s Peer Support team.
I learned about Wreaths Across America about 7 years ago. Since learning about it, it became automatic to me to volunteer each year in Arlington.
I have taken down numerous Portland Police Officers, Portland Firefighters and other Maine Law Enforcement agencies to Arlington each year to volunteer to lay the wreaths for the past 7 years.
Last year while Coaching at Cheverus we decided to bring my Swimming/Diving team and their families down to Arlington as well. Following the Wreaths Across Americas mission “To Teach” was very important to me. We brought Chevrus Swimming/Diving team down and were able to teach them at Arlington about the Ultimate sacrifice.
With the great help and assistance from Lt. Janine Roberts (Portland Police) and John/Bunny O’Leary we were able to have Chevrus as a stop on the convoy to Arlington. It has been a huge impact on our School and our community!
My wife and kids are now involved as well. They came down with me last year to see my brother Williams grave site, and volunteered to lay the wreaths as well.
Michael Calenda
Retired Police Officer – Johnston Police Dept.
Teacher: Teaching Certification Special Education/ ALP Alternative Learning Progrm Behavior Specialist
Teacher: History / Social Studies certified secondary and middle
Presently teaching 8th grade social studies at Ponaganset Middle school
Wreaths Across America program director
Married: wife Marie Calenda 24years
Daughter: Marianna age 17
David “Mel” Russen
EDUCATION: 1968- University of Toledo; Bachelors of Arts Business Administrations. 1982- Monmouth University; Masters of Arts Business Administration.
EMPLOYMENT: Mar-Jel Remodeling Inc; President and CEO; 1987 to Present. Toms River Board of Education Assistant Board Secretary for Accounting; 1970 to 1986
United States Army; 2nd Lieutenant, 6th ACR, Fort Meade, MD (1968 to 1970)
ORGANIZATIONS: Durand Masonic Lodge No 179; Point Pleasant, NJ Current Senior Warden. Point Pleasant Garden Club Point Pleasant, NJ. President 2009 to Present. Master Gardeners of Ocean County, Toms River, NJ. Class of 2003 to present; Class Mentor and Member of Speakers Bureau. Wreaths Across America Columbia Falls, Maine Location Leader . 17th Masonic District Association; Secretary/Treasurer 2010 to Present
Barry Pottle
Bio to be updated soon
Executive Director
Karen Worcester
Immediately upon the creation of Wreaths Across America™ (501-C3 status – EIN 20-8362270) in 2007, Karen Dow Worcester was chosen for the position of Executive Director by the Board of Directors. With over 35 years experience in the administrative stewardship of the various Worcester family enterprises, Karen is well known as a passionate champion and spokesperson. As a co-founder of Wreaths Across America, Karen tenaciously works on ways the organization can best Remember the fallen; Honor those who serve; and Teach our children that our freedoms are purchased at a great cost.
Equally passionate about her family, Karen is mother to six children and five grand children. Her favorite hobby is participating in and preparing for equestrian events, where two of her daughters have competed at the State and Regional Championship level.
