Another Day Of Sacrifice For Many Who Serve

For all the husbands and wives, lovers and secret admirers out there, Valentine’s Day is the traditional reminder for us to cherish our moments with those we love. And nothing pulls at the heart stronger than being separated from our loved ones.

As we go in to the week filled with Valentine’s Day festivity, I hope you will join us in giving a moment of thought and appreciation to all those who through service to our Country, set aside their time for romance to protect our freedoms.

This Valentine’s Day, just like at Thanksgiving and throughout the holiday season, there will be empty chairs and sad hearts that feel like they are missing a piece – because of those who serve and those who never were able to make it home.

And that is really the message of Wreaths Across America. As much as we Remember, Honor, and Teach about the service and sacrifice of our veterans – we equally want to recognize their families who also sacrifice so much of what we take for granted. They go without Valentine’s Day Dinners, roses and boxes of chocolate. They serve in the line of duty inhospitable places, or rest for eternity having made the ultimate sacrifice.

How Will You Remember Our Veterans On Valentine’s Day?

We hope you will join us be commemorating Valentine’s Day by sharing on Facebook your story of romance deferred or deepened during a time of service. Each story helps us all better understand and appreciate the depth of sacrifice that is made each and every day throughout the year.

To whet your curiosity – here ‘s an example of what our soldiers and their families went thru during separation of The Great War (WWI Letter From The Trenches).

Not Too Late To Take Part In Wreath Clean Up

Tomorrow (Saturday the 28th) is wreath pick up day at Arlington National Cemetery. Back in December the park service estimated roughly 17,000 people were in attendance to place the wreaths on National Wreaths Across America Day. We hope an equal number will come out and show their respects as volunteers pick up the wreaths after the nationwide expression of appreciation to our veterans.

You can find parking and more information about the plan for the day here on the WAA Blog. Click here if you want to invite your friends on Facebook to participate.

Volunteer Photographer Helps Capture 2011 Events

Back in 1992, Morrill Worcester donated the first 5,000 wreaths to be placed on the headstones of our veterans at Arlington National Cemetery as a solemn gesture of appreciation during the holiday season.

Anyone who had heard Morrill speak in person, may have heard him use the self-effacing words “I am just a wreath maker from Maine.”

There is a lesson in those words that when tied to action – we each can do what we do best, to share our gifts in a way that will let those who sacrifice so much, know that we will never forget.

Brad Bradstreet, a photographer from Maine is another volunteer who follows the same maxim to give what is his gift – an eye for beautiful photographs and organization. In 2011, Brad organized 8 different photographers to capture the annual escort of wreaths from Maine to Arlington National Cemetery.

You can see the full album of photos shared by the 8 contributors.

Photo contributors included: Bob Travis, Kirk Membry, Don McCasland, Amy Parulis, Bob Domeracki, Charlie Hawkins. and Brad Bradstreet

When asked how he came to be involved with Wreaths Across America, Brad explained his story this way:

“In 2009 I was shooting photos of sunrise at Nubble Light on the coast of Maine. When done I stopped along route 1 south of Wells to get photos of the convoy going by. Seeing the group created an interest as to what Wreaths Across America was all about. In 2010 I went to the Cabela’s stop in Scarborough, Maine to grab photos of the convoy parked in the lot and was shocked to see the size of the welcome – the organization – the children – the whole thing. I stayed for every last freezing minute.
 
Then I scrambled to make plans to head to Arlington since I was already going to Gettysburg, PA that week. When getting early morning photos at the Darien, CT VFW a woman drove through the parking lot and asked me if I was a veteran. I told her that I was and had served a year in Vietnam. She said “thank you”. It was then I realized she was the first person to really say “thank you” since I had gotten out of the service 40 years before. I did not want others to be forgotten and not appreciated for what they have done or are doing for our country.
 
With 2011 being the 20th year of placing wreaths at Arlington, I wanted to make sure we put together a photo record of what the organization and supporters have done. By pulling together a team of photographers we covered most of the escort to Arlington stops as well as Arlington National Cemetery.”

Our goal in 2012 is to expand this network of volunteer photographers to capture the events all across the Country. If you would like to participate, please send an email to tobin [at] wreaths across america [dot] org and we will build a list of contacts!

West Point Stop One Of The Highlights Of 2011 Escort

Candy Martin addresses the gathering at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point

Each year the annual wreath escort makes an effort to stop and engage with new communities along the way between Maine and Virginia. 2011 marked the first ever stop at West Point Military Academy, which was a significant event for a number of reasons.

For Ms. Candy Martin (American Gold Star Mother and 36 years active duty with the U.S. Army) the stop at West Point was a significant one because that is where her son Tom Martin graduated and is now laid to rest with a number of his classmates and comrades.

Here is a great video that does a great job capturing the placement of the wreaths at West point.

If you would like hear more from the perspective of an American Gold Star Mother, here is an interview with Candy Martin from WAA Radio.

Wreaths Across America Theme for 2012 Announced

This month the WAA Board of Directors met to recap the 2011 events and begin preparation for 2012. Last year was the first time the organization announced a theme for the year. 2011 marked the 20th year anniversary of the wreaths being donated to Arlington National Cemetery. Inspired by Board member and Vice Chair Sir Stanley Wojtusik the 2011 theme was “Giving the Christmas They Never Had.”

The theme for 2012 was announced as:

“Then, Now, and Forever – Let’s Make It Personal”

As Executive Director Karen Worcester explains, “the 2012 theme is all about recognizing the stories that are a deep rooted part of our heritage. We know from listening to many families who have lost a loved one in service to our Country, that their biggest fear is that their story – and all that made them who they are, might be forgotten. This is our way of saying, we won’t forget. We will never forget.”

Worcester added, “we are going to challenge all our volunteers this year, and especially our younger generations to look for, and capture the individual stories – because it is not about the number of wreaths placed – it is about seeing how many connections we can make.”

If you have an idea for an image or graphic that conveys the 2012 theme of “Then, Now, and Forever – Let’s Make It Personal” – we invite you to drop us a note.

“Our goal is to make this year come alive in the stories, imaginations, and memories of all those who serve and sacrifice,” said Ms. Worcester. “I hope you will join us in making it personal.”
 

Saturday January 28th Marks 2012 Wreath Pick Up Day

As Important As The Ceremony Was In December – Will Be Showing Honor & Appreciation In January

There’s a lonesome stone where a hero lays,

But the grass ain’t mowed because everybody’s done their way,

Another man kept his promise to protect his home,

It is time to show our sons where to mow the lawn.

~ Lyrics from “Veterans Day” by The Don Campbell Band

Every year at this time as we put out a call for volunteers to help pick up the wreaths placed in December, I think of the those lyrics from the song “Veterans Day” by Don Campbell. January might not be the month for lawn mowing but the sentiment is still the same. Our mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach is a daily testament to our appreciation for the service and sacrifice of our veterans.

Wreath clean up (rain, snow or shine) at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) will be on Saturday, January 28, 2012. Cemetery gates will open at 8:00 am. Brief opening remarks will be held at 8:30 am at the McClellan Gate Arch near Section 12 on the right of Eisenhower Drive. ANC officials will not allow volunteers to park within the Cemetery with the exception of #1 noted below. We strongly encourage volunteers to use Metro. Please remember that we will be picking up ONLY the WAA wreaths with the red bows. All other wreaths, decorations, stands, etc. are to remain in place.
 
Listed below are important details for the wreath clean up:
 
1. Parking within the cemetery will be restricted to individuals with ANC family passes. Vehicles with valid handicapped permits will be allowed to park in the Administrative lot on King Drive to the left off of Eisenhower Drive and next to Section 54.
2. The ANC Visitor Paid Parking Garage will open at 7:00 am and will be free until 1:00 pm for volunteers. Buses should also use this facility.
3. Additional parking will be available at the same locations used for wreath laying. These locations are the Fort Myer parking lots next to the cemetery (except those areas blocked off with orange cones; the Navy Annex lots (off S. Joyce St.) near the Air Force Memorial and the old gas station (do not park in slots marked “Reserved 24/7”); at the Pentagon North lot, and at the Hayes, Fern, and Eads Streets parking lots off of Army/Navy Drive.
4. Pedestrians volunteers can access ANC gates located at:
- the Ord-Weitzel Gate (north) near the Iwo Jima Memorial;
- the Main Gate (east) on Memorial Drive with entry at the Visitors Center and the Women’s Memorial;
- the Service and Maintenance Gate and the Henderson Hall Gate (south) off Columbia Pike between the Air Force and Pentagon Memorials, across from the now-closed Navy Exchange gas station; and,  the Fort Myer Gate (west) near the Old Post Office Chapel.
5. Arlington Cemetery is hallowed ground. Please be respectful at all times.
6. No food or drink (except water) is allowed within the Cemetery grounds.
7. Restrooms are available at the Information Center, Women’s Memorial, and at the Memorial Amphitheater.
Listed below are “helpful” hints:
1. Dress for the weather. Wear comfortable “all-weather” shoes and gloves.
2. Volunteers may bring leaf rakes or poles to load up on multiple wreaths for easier transfer. Previously, some volunteers used a rope tied to a 14 inch board or rod for ease in loading and carrying wreaths.

Here is a note from Wayne Hanson – our Location Leader at Arlington inviting you to honor our fallen in a different way, by joining us in the annual wreath clean-up.

“Thanks for the interest in helping with the wreath clean-up at Arlington this year. We won’t have all the details for the clean-up until we meet again with the ANC officials. The clean-up date will be Saturday, January 28, 2012. As of right now, the Cemetery officials say they will open the gates to the volunteers at 0800, but will continue to restrict the parking within the Cemetery (we are continuing to work on that issue).
 
We will be meeting and having a short briefing at 0830 at the McClellan Gate Arch near Section 12 before the clean-up begins. Once additional details are worked out and approved by ANC officials we will be posting that information on the WAA web page at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org and the Arlington facebook page at www.facebook.com/ArlingtonWreaths so be sure to keep checking those sites for any additional information later next week.

One last important reminder – we are to pick up ONLY the plain WAA wreaths with the red bow.  All other wreaths, decorations, stands, etc. are to be left in place.
 
Again, thanks for the interest in helping with the wreath clean-up.”
Wayne Hanson
Arlington Wreath Project Coordinator

Even if you can’t make it to Arlington – we help us at one of our 700+ participating locations.

Click on Locations and check with a Location Leader near you to see what they are planning in their local community.

Remember - Honor - Teach at Arlington National Cemetery

“Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.
Know the line has held, your job is done.
Rest easy, sleep well.
Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held.
Peace, peace, and farewell…”

Many readers may recognize these words.

Back in 2005, the iconic image of the wreaths in the snow was taken by James Varhegyi, paired with these words and flashed into a viral sensation around the web (as detailed here by Snopes).

That explosion of interest grew the wreath-laying event from Arlington to over 700 locations nationwide and a national non-profit that now works year round in its mission to remember, honor, and teach about the service and sacrifice of our veterans.

So from our family to yours, to our extended family of veterans, service men, and women who protect our freedoms, and to all the families who may have an empty seat at the table for the loved one who is away or lost…

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays To All

Have you seen the amazing images posted from Arlington and locations all around the Country? Check out this photo album on Facebook and thanks so much to all who shared! We will be sharing more heartfelt stories in our next edition. You can also watch coverage of the escort and interview from WAA Radio here:

Wreaths Across America Honors 325,000 Veterans Nationwide

90,000 Holiday Wreaths Placed at Arlington National Cemetery by More than 15,000 Volunteers

COLUMBIA FALLS, Maine – Dec. 14, 2011 – On Saturday, Dec. 10, Wreaths Across America (WAA) organized the placement of nearly 90,000 holiday wreaths on the headstones of our nation’s fallen military at Arlington National Cemetery. This effort coincided with 740 additional wreath-laying ceremonies coordinated by WAA at locations across the country — including 25 overseas — for a total of 325,000 donated wreaths this year, the most in the organization’s 20-year history.
 
The wreaths’ journey to Arlington has become a tradition over the past two decades, allowing locals along the more than 700-mile route to share in the emotional and educational experience as the WAA convoy of long-haul tractor-trailers, buses, police and motorcycles passed through their hometowns. The trip to Arlington National Cemetery started Sunday, Dec. 4 in Harrington, Maine, and ended at Arlington this past Saturday to the welcome of more than 15,000 volunteers who had come out to support the effort.

“We are so grateful to the thousands of people who came out to support us this year in our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach. Without our volunteers, donors and sponsorships — and the trucking companies that transported the wreaths to Arlington — honoring so many deserving veterans this year would not have been possible,” said Karen Worcester, executive director, Wreaths Across America. “The passion and emotion of those that came out today helped renew our commitment to soon be able ensure every veteran at rest at Arlington is recognized with a holiday wreath. This is a goal that we will continue to strive for until it becomes a reality.”

The wreaths placed at Arlington will remain through the New Year and will be collected on Jan. 28, 2012. To volunteer for the cleanup effort, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/events/escort-to-arlington/.
 
Follow Wreaths Across America on Facebook at http://Facebook.com/ArlingtonWreaths and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/WreathsAcross.

Wecome Address At Arlington National Cemetery: courtesy of Brad Bradstreet


About Wreaths Across America
Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman, Morrill Worcester, in 1992. The organization’s mission, Remember, Honor, Teach, is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies on the second Saturday of December at Arlington, as well as hundreds of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. For more information, to donate or to sign up to volunteer, please visit www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org.

Mitzi Perdue And The Perdue Company Drivers Talk About The Importance of Remembering Our Veterans

Mitzi Perdue (widow of Frank Perdue), Gerald Thompson, Commander VFW Post 6483, Colonel Mike Berry, Delaware National Guard, Sally Kubicki, Ladies Auxiliary, VFW 7234

Wreaths Across America is fortunate to have the support of many patriotic businesses and organizations. Mitzi Perdue (widow of the late Frank Perdue) participated in the Wreaths Across America events at Delaware National Veterans Cemetery, and shared the following reflections:

What Is Wreaths Across America all About?

Last week, you may have watched televised images of people laying fresh evergreen wreaths at the graves of veterans. Or perhaps you’ve seen videos of volunteer truckers transporting the wreaths from as far away as Maine.

Did you wonder, “Just why do these people bother doing this?”

For an answer, imagine that you had attended the ceremony at the Delaware Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Millsboro last Saturday. If you had sat beside Sandy Smith (not her real name) you would have learned that her husband was laid to rest at this cemetery.  

For Smith, seeing that hundreds of local people came in the 40-degree cold to watch the wreath-laying ceremony was, to use her words, “extraordinarily comforting.”
 
When she speaks, her voice is tremulous and there are tears in her eyes, but even so, she’s smiling through those tears. Part of what was comforting for her was sharing with her family and neighbors, while in a public and sacred space, the memory of her late husband. It also meant the world to her that even during the hustle and bustle of the holidays, so many people cared enough to take the time to honor military service.

It was important to her and to the millions of other men and women like her because often a major fear of those who’ve lost a service member is that the memory of his or her sacrifice will be forgotten.  Maybe at some deep level, people who’ve lost a loved one relate to the old saying, “One is never truly dead until they are forgotten.”

Wreaths Across America demonstrates to Smith and the many others who attended ceremonies in one of the 500 participating cemeteries that not only is their loved one’s sacrifice remembered, it is deeply honored.
 
Although many of the wreaths had already been placed on gravestones earlier in the day, the ceremony itself centered around seven individual wreaths. During the ceremony, members of the military placed the seven wreaths on four-foot high wire stands located maybe 100 feet in front of the audience.

The master of ceremonies, Commander of VFW Post 6483 Gerald Thompson began by speaking on the theme that those who lie here, in this cemetery, sacrificed so much to keep us free. Then, at roughly 40 second intervals, he intoned the names of the representatives from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine and the POW/MIAs, who were placing the wreaths on the stands.

Each representative, carrying a wreath, marched up to the individual frame that would receive it, and then, having placed the wreath, stepped back and slowly saluted. Overhead, the flags of the United States, Delaware, and the POW/MIA waved in a gentle breeze.  

Colonel Mike Berry from the Delaware National Guard then spoke movingly about the bond between this country’s military and its citizens. Next, as we listened to Jennifer Carter’kls hauntingly beautiful rendition of “Sleep, Soldier Boy, Sleep,” many of us joined Sandy Smith in trying to fight back our tears.

The program ended with a benediction from the Rev. Carol Reese Summers, a four-gun volley from the VFW Blue Hen Post 6483 Honor Guard, taps, performed by Keith Bauer, and closing remarks by Sally Kubicki, who played the major role in coordinating the event.

Wreaths Across America isn’t just about laying wreaths on gravestones. It’s a public and meaningful way to honor our veterans and their families.  It’s a heartfelt “thank you,” a symbolic expression, as Colonel Berry puts it, of the bond between our citizens and our military.`

(Mitzi Perdue is the widow of the late Frank Perdue. Seven drivers from Perdue participated in hauling wreathes from Maine on a 3,600-mile journey to 13 veterans’ cemeteries from Delaware to Florida, including, Delaware Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery and Arlington National Cemetery.)
 

Editors Note from Wreaths Across America: We think it says a lot about Mitzi and the whole Perdue family that they not only support the WAA events, but get personally involved. Here’s a great video with words directly from the Perdue drivers: