One Of The Hardest Questions We Get Asked:

Is Why All This Effort For Those Who Have Passed, When There Are So Many Needs Amongst The Living?

There are a number of great organizations who support our living, and wounded veterans in need. But let me share with you some of the things we have learned in the last few years.

1. Our mission is to Remember, Honor, and Teach. We hear every day from our veterans that it matters, and that they and their buddies know they will not be forgotten.
2. While the wreaths are placed on headstones of those who have passed, the Wreaths Across America experience is every bit as much for the living – both those who give the wreath and those who will know their loved one is being remembered.
3. Our organization serves many, but our compass and True North are the Gold Star Families. We feel that if we are doing right by them and the memories of their loved ones, we are on the right course.
4. The holiday season is an especially poignant time, a time for traditional family get togethers. And there are many dinner tables with an empty seat, for those away serving to protect our freedoms and in some cases, for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. We believe there is no more important gesture than to take our time amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, and remember how we come to enjoy and the great cost at which these freedoms are provided.

There is something special about symbolic wreath, a circle with no end and made from living evergreens with the sweet fragrance of balsam. The act of placing the wreath, straightening the red bow, and taking a moment of silence is a living tribute to those who put it all on the line.

If you question the impact on the families of those who serve, listen carefully to these words by Gold Star Mother Suzanne Brochu of Maine – who describes the warmth brought by simple wreath – something no plastic ornament could ever replace.

How Will You Remember, Honor and Teach?

As Wreaths Across America’s 21-Day Salute comes to a close, we’d like to extend our gratitude to all of the individuals who have shared their personal stories with us over the last three weeks and to everyone who continues to support our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach.

The day’s leading up to Wreaths Across America Day will be full of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, but we encourage you to take pause each day to reflect on those who will be unable to share this time with the ones they love. There will be empty chairs at the Thanksgiving table this year and each one is a reminder of the sacrifices made by so many to protect the freedoms that we enjoy. Tomorrow, as you look around your own table and give thanks for the family and friends in your life, we ask that you take a moment to REMEMBER those who are unable to be with their loved ones this holiday season, HONOR their memory and TEACH your own children the value of freedom.

As we enter into this season of giving, we ask you: How will you remember, honor and teach?

Whether it’s through volunteering to lay wreaths on the headstones of our fallen heroes, sponsoring a wreath so that no one will be forgotten, or sending a gift of thanks to a military family or veteran, please know your support is so appreciated by the families and veterans you are supporting.

For more information on how you can participate in National Wreaths Across America Day on Dec. 15, 2012, or sponsor a wreath to honor a fallen soldier, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org or call (877) 385-9504.

We encourage you to follow our “21-Day Salute” on Facebook and Twitter (#21DaySalute), share our inspiring stories and contribute your own memories of how Wreaths Across America has impacted your life.

Teaching Children about Veterans and the Cost of Freedom

Wreaths Across America (WAA) is enacting a 21-Day Salute, recognizing groups and individuals who exemplify the mission to Remember, Honor and Teach. The organization has a goal to place a wreath at every headstone at Arlington National Cemetery, but they have a dream that people across the country will share the mission of WAA for generations.

In 2010, WAA was looking to expand their mission to Teach. Sarah Worcester knew how difficult it was to explain the cost of freedom to her own children. Motivated to help, she volunteered to write a children’s book based on her successful Daisy the Dog series. She hoped the book would make it easier for parents to help their children understand how veterans’ sacrifices preserved their freedoms and why it’s important to remember and thank them.

Sarah’s new book, Parade of Purpose, follows Daisy as she and her friends travel with the convoy of wreaths down to Arlington National Cemetery. Along the way, Daisy introduces her friends to the Patriot Guard Riders, Gold Star Mothers, Civil Air Patrol and other veterans. Sarah said she wrote the book with her children in mind, taking the time “to describe each group and what they do, in terms they could understand.” When Daisy reaches Arlington she tells her friends: “It’s important to remember that freedom isn’t free. It should be looked at as a gift, and this parade has shown you all the people who are involved in giving us that gift!”

At the end of the book, children are encouraged to color a wreath and present it to a veteran to say thank you. The wreath, says Sarah, “represents eternal life because it has no beginning and no end. The wreath is a symbol of respect, of honor, and of victory.”

To learn more about Wreaths Across America and how to donate, please contact:

Amber Caron
(207) 513-6457
acaron@kempgoldberg.com

We encourage you to follow our “21-Day Salute” on Facebook and Twitter (#21DaySalute), share our inspiring stories and contribute your own memories of how Wreaths Across America has impacted your life.

Wreaths Across Canada: A Tradition is Born

Wreaths Across America (WAA) is enacting a 21-Day Salute, recognizing groups and individuals who exemplify the mission to Remember, Honor and Teach. The organization has a goal to place a wreath at every headstone at Arlington National Cemetery, but they have a dream that people across the country will share the mission of WAA for generations.

Wreaths Across Canada Inc. is a non-profit organization started in 2007 by Craig McPhee, a veteran of the Canadian Forces. Every November 11th, Canadians gather across the country to remember and honor their fallen heroes. There are also more than 225,000 men and women who have served in Canada’s military over the years, ensuring and maintaining their hard won freedom.

“Some years ago, I got to see pictures of what had been done by Wreaths Across America at Arlington National Cemetery to remember all the American servicemen and servicewomen buried there,” said Craig. After speaking with Morrill Worcester, Craig’s passion grew. He was so taken with this concept that his goal became to create Wreaths Across Canada, ensuring that this could be done for all Canadians who had served, many of whom are buried at the National Military Cemetery as well as many other cemeteries across Canada.

The organization’s mission mirrors that of WAA, using this time to Remember, Honor and Teach. On Sunday, December 2nd, 2012, Canadians will gather once again to honor all those military persons, soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen who served Canada and are buried at the National Military Cemetery.

To learn more about Wreaths Across Canada, please visit: www.wreathsacrosscanada.ca

We encourage you to follow our “21-Day Salute” on Facebook and Twitter (#21DaySalute), share our inspiring stories and contribute your own memories of how Wreaths Across America has impacted your life.

Wreaths Across America Salutes Illinois Ambassador to Arlington

Wreaths Across America (WAA) is enacting a 21-Day Salute, recognizing groups and individuals who exemplify the mission to Remember, Honor and Teach. The organization has a goal to place a wreath at every headstone at Arlington National Cemetery, but they have a dream that people across the country will share the mission of WAA for generations.

Beth Stiff, the WAA Ambassador to Arlington in Illinois, became involved with the organization in 2011. Her son currently serves with the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard stationed in Washington, D.C. The Ceremonial Guard serves as the funeral escort and conducts all services for Navy personnel buried in Arlington National Cemetery. As a result of her son’s role, and the amount of time he spends at Arlington, she became aware of Wreaths Across America’s effort to place a wreath at the headstones of every hero buried there. Becoming involved with WAA was a way to honor what her son is doing.

Beth’s son giving the salute, taken at a funeral at Arlington National Cemetery. Beth says, “He is what keeps me involved with WAA. I’m proud beyond words of his role in honoring our fallen heroes.”

As a military wife and mom, Beth says “being involved with WAA is one of the ways I show honor in the choice made by my husband and son to serve our great country. The sacrifices made by our service members and their families have also touched my heart deeply. These families have become my family. It’s important to me to honor the sacrifices they make each and every day.”

The response from individuals as they make the decision to sponsor a wreath is what keeps her involved. Touched beyond words by the support, she recalls many times thinking people don’t know what sacrifices a military family makes, but her experience with WAA has shown her how deeply people care.

As the current Illinois Ambassador, she has set the goal of raising funds for 5,000 wreath sponsorships this year. Actively sharing WAA’s mission with anyone willing to listen, she looks forward to being at Arlington on December 15th as a volunteer to help place wreaths.

To speak with Beth directly or to learn more about Wreaths Across America and how to donate, please contact:

Amber Caron
(207) 513-6457
acaron@kempgoldberg.com

We encourage you to follow our “21-Day Salute” on Facebook and Twitter (#21DaySalute), share our inspiring stories and contribute your own memories of how Wreaths Across America has impacted your life.

North Carolina’s Ambassador to Arlington

Wreaths Across America (WAA) is enacting a 21-Day Salute, recognizing groups and individuals who exemplify the mission to Remember, Honor and Teach. The organization has a goal to place a wreath at every headstone at Arlington National Cemetery, but they have a dream that people across the country will share the mission of WAA for generations.

In 2010, Jennifer Adcock thought participating in WAA would be a good learning experience for her then 12-year- old son, Jordan. It was also an opportunity to do something very special, together. In her second year as North Carolina’s Ambassador to Arlington, she has traveled from Charlotte to Havelock, setting up WAA fundraising booths at various events and festivals.

Jennifer says, “What began as a special experience for Jordan and I has become so much more than I could have ever imagined. People have often asked me if I know anyone buried in Arlington. I used to say no, but now I say yes. I feel close to each and every person buried there.” She credits the organization for the opportunity to meet and become friends with people who have forever changed her life.

Each piece of the WAA mission is of equal importance. To remember the fallen and to make sure the families left behind know their loved one is not forgotten. To honor those currently serving so they know their service and sacrifice for our country is appreciated. To teach our children that freedom is not free, and the importance of respecting our military, past, present and future.

“When you have a veteran say thank you or a Gold Star Mother hugs you, there’s no doubt. You know what you are doing is right.” Jennifer says she will continue to work hard and do whatever is necessary to spread WAA’s message and hopes that one-day the goal of covering all of Arlington will come to fruition, making sure no one is forgotten.

Tomorrow we will salute Beth Stiff, WAA’s Ambassador for Illinois. Wreaths Across America appreciates the work of our Arlington Ambassadors. With the help of the following individuals, we are closer to honoring all veterans at Arlington National Cemetery.

Lisa Berry, AL; Laura Vawter, Calif.; Deb Lecompte, CT; Patricia Pleva, DE; Erik Owens, GA; Beth Stiff, IL; Gail Siler, KY; Robert Trembly, MA; Dawn Denell, MD; Kevin Woodward, ME; Jill Stephenson, MN; Scott Grimwood, MO; Nutashia Hall, MS; Jennifer Adcock, NC; Stacy Buono, NJ; Brenda Hayes, NY; Veronica Mora, OH; Nancy Lendyak, PA; Linda Avery, TX; Lori Prendergast, VA; Jamar Williams, WA.

To speak with Jennifer directly or to learn more about Wreaths Across America and how to donate, please contact:

Amber Caron
(207) 513-6457
acaron@kempgoldberg.com

We encourage you to follow our “21-Day Salute” on Facebook and Twitter (#21DaySalute), share our inspiring stories and contribute your own memories of how Wreaths Across America has impacted your life.

Blue Star Mother Twice Over and Escort to Arlington Coordinator Shares Her Story

Wreaths Across America (WAA) is enacting a 21-Day Salute, recognizing groups and individuals who exemplify the mission to Remember, Honor and Teach. The organization has a goal to place a wreath at every headstone at Arlington National Cemetery, but they have a dream that people across the country will share the mission of WAA for generations.

In 2006, Bunny and her husband John, both Patriot Guard Riders (PGR), traveled to Harrington, Maine, to help escort wreaths down to New Hampshire. The wreaths would ultimately make it to their final destination at Arlington National Cemetery for Wreaths Across America Day.

Each State’s PGR group along the route would meet at the state line, handing off the escort duty to the next state. Bunny and John, in their white Chevy truck, had made a banner, still in use today, and placed four flags on the vehicle. Once they arrived at Worcester Wreath Company, they were appointed to lead the escort to Freeport that evening, the first scheduled stop of the trip.

After reaching the New Hampshire state line, the couple volunteered to keep going. Awaiting them in Massachusetts were nearly 100 PGR motorcyclists there to escort the convoy. It was decided that year, for an event of this magnitude, there needed to be plans laid out and police involved helping make the trek easier for the public to participate in. The next summer, John planned the route, outlining hotels and contacting other Patriot Guard Riders to help with the escort. Bunny says, “The rest is history.”

Bunny describes how each piece of the WAA mission speaks to her:

Remember: My dad served in the Army. When I go to Arlington or a Soldier’s mission with the Patriot Guard Riders, I think about all the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our
country.

Honor: I have two sons who serve today, and one or both have been deployed since John and I began doing the escort. I honor the families who stay behind to keep things as normal as can be with a loved one deployed. It is not easy. We honor those who continue to sign up and protect this country and our freedoms.

Teach: It is important to keep our children informed about the freedoms they enjoy and how they are able to have that freedom. Many children have loved ones in the Military that leave them for an extended period of time. While there are so many opinions of war, it is important to know that supporting a soldier is different than supporting a war.

To speak with Bunny and John directly or to learn more about Wreaths Across America and how to donate please contact:

Amber Caron
(207) 513-6457
acaron@kempgoldberg.com

We encourage you to follow our “21-Day Salute” on Facebook and Twitter (#21DaySalute), share our inspiring stories and contribute your own memories of how Wreaths Across America has impacted your life.

Georgia National Cemetery Location Leader’s Sixth Year

Wreaths Across America (WAA) is enacting a 21-Day Salute, recognizing groups and individuals who exemplify the mission to Remember, Honor and Teach. The organization has a goal to place a wreath at every headstone at Arlington National Cemetery, but they have a dream that people across the country will share the mission of WAA for generations.

A big supporter of giving back to her community, Evanthe Papastathis began her work with WAA in December of 2007, coordinating the event at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA, and consistently raising funds to sponsor wreaths. As a location leader, she says her continued involvement is due to the fact that she believes in the organizations mission. “Remembering and honoring is so important. What we do means so much to the families left behind.”

Something people might not know about WAA, Evanthe says, is that it is a way to honor all heroes and not just specific heroes. It is grass roots effort that relies on personal donations each year. She is surrounded by people each year working toward a common goal, and touches so many lives in the process.

Without the support of location leaders and volunteers across the country, WAA would not be able to fulfill its mission each year.

To speak with Evanthe directly or to learn more about Wreaths Across America and how to donate please contact:

Amber Caron
(207) 513-6457
acaron@kempgoldberg.com

We encourage you to follow our “21-Day Salute” on Facebook and Twitter (#21DaySalute), share our inspiring stories and contribute your own memories of how Wreaths Across America has impacted your life.

Wreaths Across America Salutes the Jewish War Veterans

Wreaths Across America (WAA) is enacting a 21-Day Salute, recognizing groups and individuals who exemplify the mission to Remember, Honor and Teach. The organization has a goal to place a wreath at every headstone at Arlington National Cemetery, but they have a dream that people across the country will share the mission of WAA for generations.

Earlier this year, members of the WAA Board had the honor of meeting with members of the Jewish War Veterans of the USA (JWV) to discuss the most appropriate ways to honor all our veterans, and teach our children about sacrifices made for our freedoms. After that visit, both organizations agreed that Wreaths Across America presents an opportunity to create awareness of the contributions of Jewish veterans and active duty military.

WAA is privileged to have the Rabbi Harold Robinson joining the group at Arlington National Cemetery on Dec. 15 to address the assembled volunteers, specifically to share the proper ways to honor our veterans and families of Jewish faith.

Col. Herb Rosenbleeth, the Executive Director of the JWV had this to say: “The National Museum of Jewish Military History appreciates the efforts being made to educate, honor and remember all Veterans who gave their lives for our freedom. We appreciate that Wreaths Across America follows all cemetery rules and only places wreaths as designated by the cemeteries. By respecting the faith traditions of all veterans who have passed, Wreaths Across America distinguishes itself as a leader among organizations who seek to honor the service of our veterans.”

To learn more about the Jewish War Veterans of the USA and their work with Wreaths Across America, please contact:

Amber Caron
(207) 513-6457
acaron@kempgoldberg.com

We encourage you to follow our “21-Day Salute” on Facebook and Twitter (#21DaySalute), share our inspiring stories and contribute your own memories of how Wreaths Across America has impacted your life.