Wreaths Across America's Kid's Corner Presents Ellie Smith


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 said it best. “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.”

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.

11-year-old Ellie Smith is a natural-born teacher and patriot who knows what it means to serve her family, community, and country. You could say, and you'd be right, Ellie is a well-traveled, all-American girl. Ellie belongs to the faith-based, character and leadership development group called the American Heritage Girls (AHG). "We earn badges for things like cake decorating and Astronomy," Ellie shared. "When we're able to raise enough money, we can go on campouts and have Father-Daughter dances and Mother-Daughter Teas."  Ellie has also traveled, introducing other American Heritage Girls to the Wreaths Across America mission to remember, honor, and teach. "My Dad is a Lt. Col. in the Air Force, and we move a lot so, that's why I've participated at different cemeteries." Upon moving from Virginia to Ohio, Ellie introduced her new American Heritage Girls group to the Wreaths Across America effort.

Over six years of volunteering in wreath-laying activities in different parts of the country, Ellie spread the mission honoring over 850 veterans at Dayton National Cemetery, Arlington National Cemetery, and now Cape Canaveral National Cemetery. The Florida AHG group previously participated in raising sponsorships for WAA and Ellie's support has helped lead them to greater success.  The girls have been able to serve veterans, active duty, and first responders by purchasing paracord to make paracord bracelets for Operation Gratitude and fleece to make blankets for children in foster care. The Sponsorship Groups are part of a program where $5 of each $15 wreath sponsorship received goes back to them to be used locally for programs in their own community. Through this national program, WAA has given back more than $12M in local contributions over the last 11 years.

Ellie continues to live up to their legacy in 2021, and someday Ellie would like to personally lay a veteran's wreath against her Grandpa Marshall Crews' headstone at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado, but for now she and her family sponsor a wreath through the American Heritage Girls group supporting that cemetery. She says with or without the American Heritage Girls she'll continue to volunteer for Wreaths Across America because, "It brings me joy to serve to honor our veterans, and my Dad."

You can hear more with Ellie, and our other incredible youth volunteers, during our Kid's Corner segment every Friday Morning at 9:15 AM EST during the live Wreaths Across America Radio Morning Show, live with Michael W. Hale.