Volunteer Spotlight: What's Your Why?


The individual stands to serve our nation, but when it comes to great sacrifice they are not alone. Family members also endure separation anxiety, hardship, pain, and sometimes grief. Many Wreaths Across America volunteers come into the organization carrying deep sorrow from the loss of their loved one. Remarkably, they live up to their legacy in service to others and renew themselves through the mission to remember, honor, and teach.

One such woman is American Gold Star Mother, Marsha Moon. Marsha was recently recognized by Wreaths Across America for ten years of service as a Location Coordinator for East Lawn Palms Mortuary & Cemetery in Tucson, Arizona. “I raised my son to be strong and take on challenges,” Marsha shared of her son Christopher. “He was a really good baseball player and was drafted by the Atlanta Braves, but he turned that down and accepted a scholarship to the University of Arizona.” It was after his first semester in college, Christopher Moon decided he wanted to serve, and he did so as a sniper with the 82nd Airborne “He was impacted by 9-11 when he was twelve years old. As I recall, he was always out in the backyard as a a boy playing Army. He was so proud of his service to his country. I have a whole new set of sons because of him. His teammates are always calling me and checking in on me. It’s a testament to how well they look out for each other.”

When Marsha lost her son in 2010, she said her faith would not allow her to wallow in self-pity. Her volunteer journey began when she was introduced to the American Gold Star Mothers and Wreaths Across America. “In my first year, I think our goal was one-hundred wreaths. Last year, we were up to 26-hundred. It’s nice because Wreaths Across America makes it so easy with resources. They provide materials and templates to go by to set up the ceremony. As a former teacher, it’s important to me that the kids are involved. It’s about teaching the younger generations where our freedoms come from. Every year, my son’s high school is very involved. The Tucson High School Baseball Team comes out and we make sure we have the boy scouts, and girls scouts involved.”

Marsha says there are numerous amazing volunteers who work with her to make wreath day possible, and the Tucson businesses gets behind the effort as well. “The coordinators at the cemetery completely understand how important this event is to the community and they have been incredible."

Marsha shares more of her volunteer story in our What’s Your Why? feature heard on Wreaths Across America Radio.