Wreaths Across America's Kid's Corner Presents Preston Sharp in Redding, California


The three objectives of the Wreaths Across America mission are to remember our fallen heroes, honor those who currently serve, and teach younger generations the value of freedom. It’s that last objective that most would agree is vital. President Ronald Reagan may have said it best when he said, “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.”

More and more families participate with Wreaths Across America in wreath-laying ceremonies across the country, and about a third of the organizations’ volunteers are young people. In a monthly feature called Kid’s Corner, Wreaths Across America recognizes youth volunteers who step up to do their part, making sure no hometown hero is forgotten. You can read their stories here on our website, hear more of their interview on Wreaths Radio on Friday mornings during the Wreaths Radio Morning Show, and check out some of their photos on our Facebook pages.

Preston Sharp in Redding, California gained national attention not long after he started to remember and honor his grandfather, a U.S. Navy veteran laid to rest. At the age of ten, Preston made an observation that became the premise for his call to action. “Once I got to the cemetery, I was really shocked,” Preston shared. “Since it was Veteran’s Day, I really thought I’d see flags out on the veterans’ grave sites and there wasn’t, so I got frustrated and mad that our veterans weren’t being honored on Veteran’s Day and I decided to do something about it.”

Indeed, he did do something about it and his Veterans Flags and Flowers challenge was born with the message veterans should be honored every day, not just on holidays. It was an effort that resonated with America, and Preston soon found himself on a tour of states honoring veterans with flags and red carnations. He has honored thousands across the country.

Preston also supports the Wreaths Across America mission to remember, honor, and teach in December with his sponsorship group.

In doing so, Preston’s organization Veterans Flags and Flowers earns $5.00 back from each $15.00 veteran’s wreath sponsorship to help purchase his flags and flowers. As of this writing, Preston has honored 260,000 veterans in 32 states!

Thanks, Preston, for helping us remember, honor, and teach. You can hear more from our youth volunteers in our Kid’s Corner special reports on Fun Fridays at 9:15 AM EST during the Wreaths Across America Radio Morning Show.