What's Your Why? Volunteer Spotlight on David Melville Russen Jr.


The motivation to serve others is not uncommon, but it is as unique as the individual providing the good deeds. Wreaths Across America volunteers represent all walks of life and are the best of the best in their communities. They work steadfastly year-round to remember, honor, and teach. They speak of the character, determination, and sacrifice of the men and women who served and are currently serving our nation.

One such volunteer is David Melville Russen, Jr., known to most as “Mel.” Mel lives in New Jersey and has been involved with Wreaths Across America for over ten years. Fort the last six years, Mel has held a position on the Wreaths Across America Board of Directors, serving as its Treasurer for the last two. “I’m a member of the American Legion,” Mel explained his introduction to the nonprofit organization. “I got their magazine, and there was a beautiful article about Wreaths Across America. At that time, I was a junior officer in my local Masonic Lodge. I went to the Master with the article and said, ‘I think this is something that dovetails so perfectly with the Masons and veterans.’ I asked for permission to get set up and get sponsorships for wreaths for a local cemetery, and he said, ‘Sure, why not? It sounds like a great idea.’ Mel says the first year, he was able to solicit sponsorships for 184 veterans’ wreaths, and they honored veterans in that one cemetery. As of 2022, Mel is the location leader for multiple locations in New Jersey and, last year, managed sponsorships for over three thousand wreaths.

One of the locations Mel coordinates every year is the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial and Museum in Holmdel, New Jersey. Every year, this is a ceremonial stop on the annual Wreath Escort to Arlington National Cemetery. On the memorial grounds, a sunken amphitheater is surrounded by a high, circular wall bearing the names of citizens in New Jersey who were killed during the Vietnam war. “I like to say we dress the memorial in preparation for the convoy visit and ceremony,” Mel explains that veterans’ wreaths are placed at the base of each panel of names on the wall. Civil Air Patrol cadets present the fresh, balsam fir wreaths to the Gold Star families of the fallen during the ceremony.

Mel has also supported convoy stops and wreath ceremonies at the Statue of Liberty and the Liberation Monument in New Jersey. He was instrumental in introducing Wreaths Across America to the woman who was a driving force behind the placement of the Liberation Monument on Liberty Island, New Jersey, Holocaust survivor Luna Kaufman. He arranged an interview with Luna and WWII liberator and brother Mason, Thurman Pace.

*This video contains graphic images

Mel says it gives him great satisfaction volunteering with Wreaths Across America. “My father served, and I have a bunch of uncles who served. We owe such a debt of gratitude to our veterans. I say sort of tongue and cheek to people, ‘maybe when I no longer walk this earth, someone will come by fifty years from now and lay a wreath on my grave.’”

Mel gets it. He grew up in a military family and went on to serve himself upon his graduation from the University of Toledo, where he was a member of the ROTC. “I graduated as a distinguished military student and received a regular Army commission, not a reserve commission. I was assigned to the 6th Armored Cavalry Regiment at Ft Mead in Maryland, a newly recommissioned unit,” Mel recalls his military experience. “It was during Vietnam, but I never made it in country for Vietnam, but when Martin Luther King was killed, my unit was federalized, and we helped restore order in Washington.”

Mel restores our faith in humanity and never stops supporting veterans and the mission of Wreaths Across America. You’ll want to stay tuned to Wreaths Across America Radio and our social media channels because Mel has a lot more up his sleeve to find ways to serve!

You can hear the stories of our incredible volunteers and what motivates them on Wreaths Radio’s What’s Your Why feature.