Tamara learned the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) had a limited participation in Wreaths Across America at the cemetery but she thought to herself she’d like to get involved to help it grow with more than 4,800 veterans resting in peace there.

“Wreaths Across America provides a wonderful opportunity for those who are not affiliated with the military to get engaged and meet those who are,” Tamara explains of her passion for the mission. “They can learn about the sacrifice of those who went off to war and of those families who were left behind.” 

Tamara’s revved up for National Wreaths Across America Day in December 2018 after an opportunity earlier this year to visit Wreaths Across America’s Headquarters and National Museum located in Columbia Falls, Maine.

“Being a part of the experience, meeting our liaisons and putting a face with the name has been invaluable for me,” Tamara shares. “Seeing a wreath being made, taking a tour of the tip land, and placing a dog tag has been just amazing. I’ve learned so much and can take that back home.” Most importantly, as a member of the Wreaths Across America SWAT TEAM (Special Wreath Advisory Team) Tamara can assist Wreaths Across America as the organization grows throughout the country and overseas as a volunteer mentor for others.

All of the Wreaths Across America Location Coordinators and Fundraising Group volunteers, close to exceeding 15-hundred at the time of this writing, put forth a tremendous effort to ensure hometown heroes are remembered and honored for their service. While each of them is unique, most of them share a similar sentiment to Tamara’s.

“Last year I took a moment just to stand back and watch what was unfolding before me at my cemetery,” explains Tamara of what she gets back in return for her efforts. “I saw so many families this year teaching their children to respect the fallen. There were Boy Scouts and Girl Scout troops together experiencing both the smiles and in some cases the sadness. Seeing all the different people there to honor the mission to remember, honor and teach, and being able to give someone who was crying a hug. Those are the important things to me.”

Tamara says every year her experiences as the Wreaths Across America volunteer Location Coordinator for the Idaho State Veterans’ Cemetery have been incredibly rewarding and there’s always one story that stand out in her memory.

“Every cemetery, as far as I know, gets special requests for a wreath-laying from families who can’t be present at the burial place of their loved one,” Tamara explains. “The first year I was involved, a young woman called from out-of-state and asked if I could help her place a wreath at her husband’s headstone. I was able to do that and send her a picture. I learned she was a wife who was left behind with a young son after her husband was killed in action. That wreath meant so much.” 

Thank you, Tamara, and James, for your service to our country and for your dedication to the mission to remember, honor and teach.

You can hear more of Tamara’s story and those of other volunteers across the country on Wreaths Across America Radio.