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Save the Date December 17, 2022
 
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Black Tie International Magazine:

Wreaths Across America
 

wreaths across america

 

Pierre Claeyssens, who was rescued by U.S. Forces in Belgium said,

 

 “To be killed in war is not the worst that can happen. To be lost is not the worst that can happen…to be forgotten is the worst.”

 

Wreaths Across America (WAA)

 

is a national non-profit organization best known for remembering fallen veterans with wreaths placed each December at Arlington National Cemetery.

 

However, the organization is much more.

 

As of 2022, the nonprofit placed more than

2.4 million sponsored veterans’ wreaths

at over 3,200 participating locations throughout the US and abroad while offering various year-long programs.

 

 These programs help live a mission to Remember, Honor and Teach.
 

In the beginning, founder, Morrill Worcester,

a 12-year-old paper boy for the Bangor Daily News,

won a trip to Washington D.C., where Arlington National Cemetery became an inspirational location.

 His pilgrimage served as a consistent reminder, through career and life, that opportunities stemmed from the values and freedom afforded to us by our nation’s veterans.

After years of hard work,

Morrill founded Worcester Wreath Company

in Harrington, Maine. In 1992, Worcester Wreath

 had a surplus. Morrill saw this as his opportunity to honor our veterans with hopes of returning to Arlington.

With the aid of Maine Senator Olympia Snowe (ret.), the first 5,000 wreaths were placed that year at Arlington National Cemetery.

 As plans were underway, other individuals and organizations shared Morrill’s spirit and working together built an annual mission that went unnoticed for many years.

In 2005, a photo surfaced of Arlington covered in snow,

 adorned with wreaths.

 This picture became a viral internet sensation before there was even such a marketing term.

After, thousands of requests poured in, from people wanting to help emulate the Arlington success on the local level, prompting the official formation of Wreaths Across America the national nonprofit in 2007.

The newly formed 501c3 began its national effort by sending seven ceremonial wreaths to every state

 (one for each branch of the military, and for POW/MIAs)

 

. The ceremonies took place in nearly all of the 50 states and Washington, D.C., with a focus on family during the holidays.

 As the organization grew from volunteer support, a network of local groups and cemetery locations began to emerge.

Simultaneously, groups began to escort the wreaths to Arlington. This started an annual tradition called

 “The Veterans Honor Parade”

which travels the east coast in early December.

This part of the mission grew into a multi-mile long convoy which acts as an ambassador by stopping at schools, monuments, veterans’ homes and local communities as the mission of the organization is shared.

In 2008, over 60,000 volunteers helped move the mission, placing 100,000 wreaths on veterans’ headstones. Recognizing the organizations impact, the United States Congress unanimously voted to declare

 “National Wreaths Across America Day”

 to be held annually, on the second or third Saturday of December.

British street artist Bansky once wrote,

They say you die twice. One time when you stop breathing and a second time, when somebody says your name for the last time.”

 So, it wasn’t enough to say

“we covered Arlington”

because that’s a mission half completed. When a volunteer places a wreath on a veteran's headstone,

 WAA encourages them to speak that veteran's name aloud, thank them for their service and sacrifice, reflect on their life as person and member of a loving family and never let that service member die a second time, including all 226,525 at Arlington starting in 2014, and millions more at cemeteries nationwide.

Presently a small, but dedicated staff and more than 7,000 core volunteers across the country, work tirelessly on year-long programs that help accomplish this ongoing mission.

 That number grows to more than 2 million, a third of whom are children, who participate in the annual wreath laying events nationwide! These programs are designed to help highlight the awe-inspiring work of our volunteer groups and locations, civic groups, supporters, donors, and others that enable this mission to flourish regardless of challenges and changes.

Some of these programs include the following…

Group Sponsorship Program

In 2007, when Wreaths Across America expanded its annual wreath placement event to enable groups and organizations to support Arlington National Cemetery and other local, participating cemeteries across the country.

The organization established the Group Sponsorship Program to benefit other like-minded charities, community programs and civic groups through the sale of wreath sponsorships for participating locations.

Through this, WAA invites other group or organizations to help in remembering and honoring our American heroes and teaching the next generation, through raising funds to sponsor veterans’ wreaths.

As a Wreaths Across America Group Sponsorship partner, your organization will receive $5-of-each-$15 wreath sponsorship to support your important work while sponsoring a veterans’ wreath. 

Since its start, WAA has given back more than $17M to other groups.

AFSA is one of WAA’s newest Sponsorship Groups.

By sponsoring a wreath through AFSA, you will place a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery and give $5 back to the organization to use for its own mission.

 Donate today at

 www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/AFSA

Wreaths Across America Museum
Located in the WAA National Headquarters at 4 Point Street in Columbia Falls, Maine, the Museum is an 1,800-square-foot facility showcasing hundreds of items that have been donated to Wreaths Across America by its volunteers, including personal photos, awards, uniforms, helmets and other military memorabilia.

The Museum is open year-round with visiting hours Monday through Friday, from 9AM to 4PM.

 

Mobile Education Exhibit
In addition to the Maine museum, Chevy dealers of New England donated the Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit, a 48’exhibit is equipped with a 24-person screening room, interactive computers, and history exhibit.

 This traveling exhibit extends the mission to by traveling to local communities, schools and events.

The Remembrance Tree Program
Throughout the yearGold Star Families are invited to the “tip-land,” where balsam tips are harvested to be made into veterans’ wreaths. These family members are invited to claim a tree in the name of their loved one with military-style replica dog-tag creating a living memorial for that service member.

These dog tags and tree locations are recorded and geo-tracked so the families sponsored wreaths can be made from those trees and revisited by loved ones over the years. WAA Executive director Karen Worcester once said,

“There are few things more moving than hearing the sound of thousands of these tags chiming in unison from a gentle breeze on a quiet evening in Maine.”

 

Stem to Stone 5k Races
As the Mobile Education exhibit travels the country, so too does our series of 5K races that we call

“Stem to Stone” Races.

 The Stem to Stone name refers to the balsam bouquets trimmed from trees that make up the wreaths laid at cemeteries all across America, and Stone refers to the actual headstones of the soldiers. The 5k is reminiscent of basic training runs and allows participants to get a small taste of what our heroes have endured as they train

Wreaths Across America Radio
This 24/7 internet radio station has a unique format that mixes country, rock, bluegrass, Americana, information and inspiring content about members of the U.S. armed forces, their families, military veterans, and volunteers who support the mission. Special segments and programs include:

Mission Matters

 - Wreaths Across America’s Executive Director, Karen Worcester, interviews families who have impacted the mission, members of the military community, and Gold Star Families.

 She shares those discussions with the public Wednesdays at 10 AM, and again at 7:00 PM EST.


Cup of Joe Radio

 - The purpose of this broadcast is to support military veterans worldwide. Show hosts Mike Spotswood (USMC) along with his wife Irene and weekly contributors Doug Bradley (U.S. Army-retired) and Jerry Lamerton (U.S.Army-retired) are passionate about the mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach while entertaining with music.

 The program airs twice on Fridays, from 4-6 PM EDT, and again Friday night from 9-11PM EDT.

Trucking Tributes 

Is a radio feature highlighting the support Wreaths Across America receives from the trucking industry.
Kid's Corner - Wreaths Across America is recognizes youth volunteers monthly who do their part to make sure no hometown hero is forgotten.
The 100-Day Countdown to National Wreaths Across America Day - A daily segment on the morning show with Michael W. Hale counting down 100 days until Wreath Day 2020, featuring interviews with group and location volunteers who are making the mission happen in their communities! 

All these year-long programs and participating locations across the country of this young organization would not be possible, or successful, without the help of volunteers, active supporters and donors, and the generosity of the trucking industry, which offer invaluable support to WAA's mission to remember the men and women who served our country, honor our military and their families and teach our children about our freedom and those who protect it.

If you want to help honor our veterans, please support the mission by sponsoring a wreath or registering to volunteering to place wreaths at 

www.wreathscarossamerica.org/AFSA 

or find up a participating Location near you to support at

www.wreathsacrossamerica.org
.
 

Each sponsorship goes toward a fresh balsam veteran’s wreath that will be placed on the headstone of an American hero as we endeavor to honor all fallen veterans on 

Saturday, December 17, 2022,

 as part of National Wreaths Across America Day.

Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at

 Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman


Morrill Worcester in 1992.

The organization’s mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in

 part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at

Arlington, as well as at thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other

 locations in all 50 states and beyond.

You can read the full history of the organization here. 

Here’s a video version that will save you the reading:

 

 
 

National Wreaths Across America Day

 is a free, non-political event, that honors and remembers our nation's veterans who are laid to rest in 3,500+ participating locations nationwide. This year, National Wreaths Across America Day will take place on Saturday, December 17, 2022.

 The mission to Remember the fallen, Honor those that serve, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom is year-round!

 

 
Save the Date June 23 - 26, 2022
E-mail this page to your friends


 

Black Tie International Magazine:

Wreaths Across America
 

Wreaths Across America
 

Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit
to Alter National Tour Route
 

for a Special Appearance at the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., National Convention

 

Wreaths Across America Radio to Broadcast Live from the Event!

 

COLUMBIA FALLS, ME and WEST PALM BEACH, FL — In January 2022, the Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit (MEE) left Maine and began its national cross-country tour in Florida. Since that time, the MEE has traveled to South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin to honor and welcome home our nation’s veterans. This month, the MEE will suspend its present plans, head back to Florida, and join the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall in honoring American Gold Star families at the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.85th Annual National Convention being held at the Hilton Palm Beach Airport in West Palm Beach, June 23rd through the 26th.

 

Wreaths Across America Radio will be broadcasting live throughout the four-day event and speaking with Gold Star families, veterans, and their families to share their stories of service and sacrifice. Wreaths Across America Radio is a 24/7 internet stream that can be heard anytime and anywhere on the iHeart Radio app, Audacy app, TuneIn app, or at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/radio.

 

“American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., is so grateful for WAA to be a part of our 85th Annual Convention and of our partnership for well over five years,” said Jo Ann Maitland, National President, American Goldstar Mothers, Inc., “With like-minded missions, WAA brings American Gold Star Mothers throughout the United States the ability to remember, honor, and teach, with the beautiful act of placing a live, balsam wreath on the graves of our heroes. This simple but most important mission helps educate those to remember, ‘the freedoms that we enjoy are not free.” 

 

The MEE will be on display open to the public to tour along with the Global War on Terrorism Memorial, 9/11 Memorial, Hershel “Woody” Williams Educational Trailer, static display of military vehicles, and other vendors, exhibitors, and food trucks. This free event will take place at 150 Australian Ave., West Palm Beach, FL.

 

“The goal of the Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit is to bring communities together and teach about the organization’s mission while remembering the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes,” said Don Queeney, Director of Transportation, and the Mobile Education Exhibit, Wreaths Across America. “The exhibit serves as a mobile museum, educating visitors about the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes as well as serving as an official ‘welcome home’ station for our nation’s Vietnam Veterans. We are always overwhelmed with the outpouring of support from communities and honored to be joining the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., as they remember and honor their children.”

 

As part of the organization’s partnership with the United States of America Vietnam War Veterans Commemoration, last year the MEE officially welcomed home over 1,500 Vietnam veterans with a pinning ceremony that includes a signed proclamation from the President of the United States. There are almost three million Vietnam veterans across the United States that have yet to be officially welcomed home.

 

When the MEE pulls into your area, all veterans, active-duty military, their families, and the local community members are invited and encouraged to visit, take a tour, and speak with WAA Ambassadors and volunteers. The public tour stops for the MEE are free and open to the public with local COVID-19 safety procedures in place to protect the health of all visitors in accordance with the CDC's recommendation.

 

Wreaths Across America is the non-profit organization best known for placing wreaths on veterans’ headstones at Arlington National Cemetery. However, in 2021 alone, the organization placed more than 2.4 million sponsored veterans’ wreaths at over 3,100 participating locations nationwide. This year, National Wreaths Across America Day will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2022. To find a participating location near you to participate at or support, click here.

 

To learn more about the Mobile Education Exhibit or submit a request for it to come to your community, click here. you can also go to https://bit.ly/3Q2SsLa to get more information about this event.

# # #

 

About Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. 

For more information or to sponsor a wreath please visit 
www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

 

 

 

Joyce Brooks and Gerard Mc Keon.  Photo by:  Rose Billings / Blacktiemagazine.com

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