Show Your Colors In The Month of April

We received the following announcement and thought we would share it with our readers:

April marks the nation’s “Month of the Military Child,” a time to honor youth impacted by deployment. In celebration, Idaho’s Operation: Military Kids (OMK), part of the 4‐H Youth Development program of University of Idaho Cooperative Extension, invites you to join us for the 2nd annual

“Purple Up! For Military Kids.”

We are encouraging everyone across the state of Idaho to wear purple on Friday, April 13th , as a visible way to show support and thank military children for their strength and sacrifices. Purple is the color that symbolizes all branches of the military, as it is the combination of Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, Marine red and Navy blue. OMK hopes everyone will take this opportunity to appreciate and celebrate these young heroes.

Be creative. The goal is for military youth to actually see the support of their community! Need some ideas to get you started?

• Ask local, regional, and state officials to wear purple on April 13th

• Spread the word by inviting newspaper and media outlets to feature a story about Purple Up! For Military Kids

• Involve area schools, sports teams, youth organizations and clubs, afterschool programs, recreation departments

• Engage the Chamber of Commerce, fraternal organizations, social clubs, Elks, Kiwanis and Rotary groups

• Request local businesses post a Purple Up! message on their roadside signs, and ask their employees to wear purple

• Ask stores and restaurants to offer a discount to all patrons who wear purple

Invite coworkers, members of your spiritual community, exercise class, or golf league to join you in showing support for the military youth in your town

For more information please contact:

University of Idaho
Operation: Military Kids
714 W State St
Boise, Idaho 83702
Phone: (208) 334-2332

FAX: 208-364-4037
E-Mail: omk@uidaho.edu
www.4h.uidaho.edu/omk
www. Operationmilitarykids.org

Operation: Military Kids is a partnership of Army Child, Youth & School Services, 4-H National Headquarters/USDA, and UNH Cooperative Extension. Operation: Military Kids-NH is supported by the 4-H/Army Youth Development Project under Kansas State University special project number 2007-48661-03868.

Wreaths Across America Posts Fundraising Position

Here is a quick summary of the job announcement for a new Fundraising Program Manager. This position will be advertised but we wanted to share it here with our supporters first, to see if there is interest within the organization.

Wreaths Across America,  a 501c-3 organization who’s mission Remember Honor and Teach is carried out in part by placing wreaths on veteran’s graves during the holiday season, is seeking a Fund Raising Programs Director to work under the direction of the WAA Executive Board.

Duties, among others, will be to organize and execute the 2012 National Ambassadors to Arlington and S.E.R.V.E. programs.  This includes soliciting and training volunteers from each state and managing their progress to accomplish mission goals.

Applicant should be organized and a proficient communicator and posses a like minded appreciation for veterans awareness and the mission.  Some travel may be expected.

This is a full time position.

Compensation is in line with job responsibilities.  Bonuses based on performance. Hiring will be based on a 4 week trial.

Send Resumes and references (required) to:

Wreaths Across America

Attn: Karen Worcester – Executive Director

email: info@wreathsacrossamerica.org (subject line: Application For Fundraising Program Manager)

or

Fax: 866-956-1625

or

Mail to: Wreaths Across America

Attn: Karen Worcester – Executive Director

PO Box 249

Columbia Falls, ME 04623

American Heroes Remembered At Daytona Week

Many readers may remember the names of Scott and Lorna Harris from 2011 Escort of Wreaths To Arlington. Scott and Lorna lost their son Dustin in service to our Country. Scott volunteered as a driver for the annual trek to Arlington. Lorna is a member of the American Gold Star Mothers. Grandfather Jim Troutt also made the trip and has been a long time supporter of WAA.

Well the race is over but this week we got a chance to see some of the artwork for the American Heroes Racing team – including the show cars that were on display at Daytona. Here is a picture of Dustin (with his proud parents) on the quarter panel amid the snow and ice of Maine, and then the same car a week later in the warmer environs of Florida.

American Heroes Racing set a goal to reach 500 Facebook fans by race day. At the time of writing, they are 473. What do you say we give ‘em a thumbs up from the Wreaths Across America community and show them our support. They are doing the good work of Remembering, Honoring, and Teaching each and every day by wearing their colors on the paint job of their cars!

You can like the American Heroes Facebook page by click here.

As We Prepare For The Month Of March – Here’s A Look Back Into Our History

Here we are on the last day of February – on a leap year. Seems like it just makes sense to jump into the month of March with vision of our past, present, and future of this great Country. Here are a couple links of interest that many reader will enjoy as they remember key dates in history:

The History Channels Interactive Map (March)

Bob Hogan’s This Month In Military History

Our theme for 2012 is to bring all the generations together, blending past, present, and future – but to make it personal.

It is one thing to read about history in a text book. It is a whole other experience to sit down with WWII veteran or a young serviceman or woman just returned from Afghanistan, and hear about their experiences. Amid great sacrifices we often appreciate the most simple blessings – like what we have to eat or time with family and loved ones. It kind of puts a hectic, overwhelming world in perspective.

How do you plan to make it personal this year?

Send us your thoughts and if we can, we will share it with others in the newsletter! Just drop us an email at info@wreathsacrossamerica.org

Hey Teachers – Want A Fun Way To Teach Your Kids About Arlington?

We are always on the watch for great stories and connections between our veterans and our children as we carry out our mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach. We feel it is an important way to convey our heritage to a younger generation. We often think about this famous quotation by 40th President Ronald Reagan:

‘Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.’

Karen Worcester (Executive Director of Wreaths Across America) recently found this fun activity on Quizlet – a set of flashcards to learn about the history of those buried at Arlington National Cemetery (created by kaitlinprit). How do you think you would do on the quiz (the questions were pretty hard!)?

And one last thought on why the TEACH part of our mission is so near and dear to our hearts.

If you have not seen it previously, this is a video that was shot several years ago with Robert Coles – a survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Anyone who has heard Mr Coles speak knows that he has a wealth of wisdom to share, but pay close attention to what happened when he entered a local restaurant and the cashier remarked about his “Pearl Harbor Survivor” hat that he was wearing.

The challenge is on us to make sure we NEVER FORGET the service and sacrifices that have been made to secure our freedoms.

Thoughts And Prayers With Corey

Corey Worcester poses with the American Gold Star Mothers from the 2010 Wreath Escort to Arlington.

A number of people have been inquiring so we thought it would make sense to post an update on Corey Worcester.

For those who did not hear, Corey (the youngest son of Morrill and Karen Worcester) was involved in a head on collision a little over 2 weeks ago. At the time of the accident, he was life-flighted from the hospital in Machias to Eastern Maine Medical Center with severe injuries, including internal bleeding, broken ribs, and a shattered hip.

It has been a difficult time for Corey and the whole Worcester family as he has spent the last 18 days in ICU, surviving first the accident, then surgery, and most recently a struggle with his breathing. Morrill, Karen, the family, and many friends have been by his side throughout.

The good news is that as of yesterday, Corey has made enough progress that he is being moved from the ICU over to the rehab wing where he can continue his recovery. Because he will be doing extensive rehabilitation during the day, his visitor hours will be limited during this critical time.

Corey Would Like To Thank Everyone

I (Tobin) spoke with Corey yesterday, where he was looking much better and more comfortable. He wanted to share that he appreciates all the love and support that everyone has shown him, especially from his fiancee’ Clarisse who has been at his side since the first night.

He was also tickled with the photos and cards brought by Jim Troutt on his visit, including the photo at right of Corey with the American Gold Star Mothers who participated in the 2010 Escort of the wreaths to Arlington.

Many readers and WAA supporters on the East Coast will recognize Corey from his many years participating in the wreath escort, first as a CAP cadet and later as an honorary member of the Patriot Guard Riders. Always quick with a smile and a magic trick with a deck of cards, Corey has made many friends from Maine to Virginia who are now routing for him in his recovery.

He still has a long, hard road of rehabilitation in front of him, but we will keep you updated on his progress. It means a lot to Corey to know that so many people are pulling for him.

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.