Thousands of 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 on our website, hear more from their interviews on Wreaths Radio on Friday mornings during the Wreaths Radio Morning Show, and check out some of their photos on our social media pages.

15-year old Allen Charles Magie lives in Haskell, New Jersey, and is the volunteer location coordinator for the Midvale Cemetery in Wanaque. Some of Allen’s hobbies include playing hockey and golf, and Allen loves music. He’s been playing the bagpipes since the age of 10. “That’s not really a common thing when it comes to teens nowadays,” Allen admits. “When I was about five or six, we saw the Army bagpipers playing outside of Tate Rink at West Point, and I asked my parents if I could play. They thought it was some phase, but I kept asking, and when I turned 10, I started taking lessons and finally I got my first set of pipes.” This video shows Allen and his bagpipe instructor playing for the wreath-laying ceremony on National Wreaths Across America day. 

Another thing that’s not so common when it comes to teens nowadays is the level of commitment Allen brings to the mission. “Throughout my life, I’ve done a lot of community service. My parents run a nonprofit called Skate it Forward, Inc. based on supporting kids in need with the help of youth athletes within the hockey community. I was brought up around community service young, and I really opened my eyes and my heart to help people in my area, especially veterans, because both of my grandfathers were veterans. My Pop, Chuck, was in the Army and served in Vietnam, and my Grandpa served in the Navy aboard the USS Barry. My heart just goes out to veterans. I think about what our veterans, including my grandfathers, did to keep us safe, and I want to repay them. I think being involved with Wreaths Across America is the best way to do that.”

As any good leader does, Allen quickly points out all of those in his community, from the Mayor to the Police Chief, who have helped him remember and honor 275-300 veterans in his community. “VFW Post Commander Bob Tennant and Jan Holland, who’s the President of the VFW Auxiliary, have become good friends of mine. We spent countless days and hours preparing for the Wreaths Across America ceremony. We went on trips to the cemetery to count all the veteran graves, and some of the veterans buried there date back to the Civil War. It was nice to honor them. All branches of the military are recognized, and that’s nice.”

Allen explains how he keeps his motivation to coordinate other volunteers and gather wreath sponsorships for his cemetery every year. “To see all the veterans who come out to help lay wreaths is inspiring and makes me want to do more.”

Thank you, Allen, for helping us live up to their legacy. You can hear more with Allen, and our other incredible youth volunteers, during our Kid's Corner segment every Friday at 9:15 AM EST during the live Wreaths Across America Radio Morning Show, live with Michael W. Hale.