Wreaths Across America Dedicates the Colonel Roger Donlon Vietnam War 'Welcome Home' Room
The Vietnam War ‘Welcome Home’ Room is the latest of the WAA History & Hospitality House room projects to be completed by WAA since starting this endeavor nearly three years ago.
Wreaths Across America Dedicates the Colonel Roger Donlon Vietnam War 'Welcome Home' Room
On Saturday, Oct. 3, Wreaths Across America (WAA) will dedicate the Colonel Roger Donlon Vietnam War & "Welcome Home" Room at its newly renovated History & Hospitably House located next door to the nonprofit's national headquarters in Columbia Falls, Maine.
Colonel Donlon became the first American soldier to be awarded the Medal of Honor in Vietnam for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his own life above and beyond the call of duty on 6 July 1964. Col. Donlon and his wife Norma have dedicated their lives to service of this country and the communities in which their family has been stationed throughout Roger’s 30-year military career.
"Norma and I are honored and proud to participate in the dedication of this special room. As a Vietnam era Gold Star Wife, Norma is grateful to WAA for providing a place where families can gather when visiting to participate in the Remembrance Tree Program," said Col. Donlon. "As Blue Star parents of three sons who have served our country, we encourage others to visit WAA and enjoy the warm hospitality of the Worcester Family and all those involved with the mission to Remember— Honor— Teach."
The Vietnam War "Welcome Home" Room is the latest of the WAA History & Hospitality House room projects to be completed by WAA since starting this endeavor nearly three years ago, and is the largest room in the house, chosen because of the space it offers for local Vietnam Veterans to gather and share stories with each other and the community.
"Several years ago, a land purchase was made to secure a right-of-way and access to the Wreaths Across America headquarters – a building donated to the organization by the community. This historic home built in 1820 was part of that purchase,” said Karen Worcester, executive director WAA. “We decided that it would make a great house for the many Gold and Blue Star families, and veterans that visit throughout the year. In keeping with our mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach, each room is being renovated and decorated to represent a period in United States history associated with a military conflict."
As ambassadors for Wreaths Across America, and active participants in the program in their hometown of Leavenworth, KS, the Donlon's have become very involved in the mission over the last several years. They first traveled to Maine in 2017 to help with the opening of the similarly named Vietnam "Welcome Home" Exhibit at the National Wreaths Across America Museum. That same year, the couple also served as honorary co-grand marshals for the annual escort to Arlington National Cemetery. Most recently in 2018, they participated in the dedication of the Medal of Honor Remembrance Park, which is an 8-acre park located on the tip land where balsam is harvested to make veterans' wreaths each year for placement on National Wreaths Across America Day.
"Not only is Roger an American hero, but he and Norma, are dear friends who have become part of the Wreaths Across America family," added Worcester. "To have them be here together for this event, and give others the opportunity to learn from them as we have had the honor to do, is truly humbling."
To view a short video on why the mission matters to the Donlon's click here.
To learn more about Col. Roger Donlon's service and the actions that lead to his receiving the Medal of Honor, please click here.
Due to CDC guidance, there will be limited admittance for this private event. Media are encouraged to schedule interviews in advance of the dedication and video and photos will be available upon request.
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Wreath Sponsorship
Roswell Presbyterian Church, Historic Cemetery, Roswell, GA 30075, United States (GARPCC) |15665|
Did you know that Wreaths Across America now offers recurring sponsorships? You can select the occurrence and cancel or pause anytime! Register now by completing this form! (https://tinyurl.com/n735zrbr)
What does it mean to sponsor a wreath? It means you are supporting a yearlong mission to Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom. Your sponsorship will support the new and existing programs developed to share the mission. And, it will place a wreath to honor an American hero at one of more than 3,700 participating locations this year on National Wreaths Across America Day – a day set aside to lay gathers as Americans with the same goal.
We can’t do that without your support, though. Your sponsorship will ensure a hand-crafted wreath of all-American balsam and hand-tied with a red velvet bow here in Columbia Falls, Maine. It will then be sent to one of our participating locations, where a volunteer will place it on the marker of a hero. That volunteer will then “say their name” to ensure that the legacy of duty, service, and sacrifice is never forgotten.
So, what does it mean to sponsor a wreath? It means you have the opportunity to join a grateful nation in saying “thank you” to those who stepped up to serve.
*Please Note: Specific locations designated as "ceremonial-only" accept a limited number of sponsorships. Any additional sponsorships received beyond those used for the ceremony will be distributed to other locations.