Wreaths Across America 2014

Remember.  Honor. Teach.


source

Wreaths in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery © 2013 Patty Hankins


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.” -Pierre Claeyssens (1909-2003) 

Always remembered.  ALWAYS honored.

Wreaths Across America

Every year, a special ceremony takes place at Arlington. For the whole story go here.

One Of The Hardest Questions We Get Asked: Is Why All This Effort For Those Who Have Passed, When There Are So Many Needs Amongst The Living? There are a number of great organizations who support our living, and wounded veterans in need. But let me share with you some of the things we have learned in the last few years.

Our mission is to Remember, Honor, and Teach. We hear every day from our veterans that it matters, and that they and their buddies know they will not be forgotten.

While the wreaths are placed on headstones of those who have passed, the Wreaths Across America experience is every bit as much for the living – both those who give the wreath and those who will know their loved one is being remembered.

Our organization serves many, but our compass and True North are the Gold Star Families. We feel that if we are doing right by them and the memories of their loved ones, we are on the right course.

The holiday season is an especially poignant time, a time for traditional family get togethers. And there are many dinner tables with an empty seat, for those away serving to protect our freedoms and in some cases, for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. We believe there is no more important gesture than to take our time amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, and remember how we come to enjoy and the great cost at which these freedoms are provided.

There is something special about symbolic wreath, a circle with no end and made from living evergreens with the sweet fragrance of balsam. The act of placing the wreath, straightening the red bow, and taking a moment of silence is a living tribute to those who put it all on the line.

Wreaths Across America

One Of The Hardest Questions We Get Asked:

Is Why All This Effort For Those Who Have Passed, When There Are So Many Needs Amongst The Living?

There are a number of great organizations who support our living, and wounded veterans in need. But let me share with you some of the things we have learned in the last few years.

Wreaths Across America

For all locations, go here.


Dear [name]


This week I learned something surprising, and I wanted to bring it to your attention.

The numbers for Wreaths Across America (wreaths to be placed on
veterans headstones) are up 18% overall this year for the 900
participating locations, but I was shocked to learn that the numbers are
 way down for Arlington National Cemetery.

While the patriotism of honoring our veterans and their families is alive and strong all around the country, it seems people are focused on honoring veterans locally and have forgotten that veterans from every state are buried on those hallowed grounds at Arlington.
Specifically, the numbers are 30,000 wreaths lower at this time of year compared to what it was a year ago. And if this trend continues, on National Wreaths Across America Day we are going to have volunteers but not enough wreaths to go around, which will be a great disappointment for a lot of people.
I want to make sure everyone has a chance to experience that solemn moment of tribute and appreciation that has come to mean so much, to so many people. We don’t want to discourage people from coming to volunteer, but I am asking for your help in getting the word out so more people will sponsor a wreath.

• Every $15 places 1 wreath on a veterans headstone
• $60 is a family sponsorship of 4 wreaths
• A company or corporation could do $150, $1500, or more

http://wreathsacrossamerica.org (click Sponsor A Wreath in the upper right)
Many people ask us – why wreaths during the holidays when there are so many living veterans with needs. We agree with doing everything we can to support our veterans who sacrifice so much – but visit our blog or Facebook page and you will see how much this program means to our Gold Star families and the many families of veterans who have passed, and just want to know all those sacrifices and lost holidays were not in vain.
Please help me share this message in whatever way you think we can do the most good. 2014 is the 150th anniversary of Arlington National Cemetery and our goal is to place a wreath and honor every veteran buried there. But to do that we need to get the word out, get more people involved, and make the gift of remembrance an annual tradition.
Thank you
- See more at: http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/category/2013-newsletter-stories/#sthash.HWzIZF82.dpuf

While  the patriotism of honoring our veterans and their families is alive and
 strong all around the country, it seems people are focused on honoring
veterans locally and have forgotten that veterans from every state are
buried on those hallowed grounds at Arlington.

Specifically, the numbers are 30,000 wreaths lower at this time
of year compared to what it was a year ago. And if this trend continues,
 on National Wreaths Across America Day we are going to have volunteers
but not enough wreaths to go around, which will be a great
disappointment for a lot of people.

I want to make sure everyone has a chance to experience that
solemn moment of tribute and appreciation that has come to mean so much,
 to so many people. 

Many people ask us – why wreaths during the holidays when there
are so many living veterans with needs. We agree with doing everything
we can to support our veterans who sacrifice so much – but visit our
blog or Facebook page and you will see how much this program means to
our Gold Star families and the many families of veterans who have
passed, and just want to know all those sacrifices and lost holidays
were not in vain.

Please help me share this message in whatever way you think we
can do the most good. 2014 is the 150th anniversary of Arlington
National Cemetery and our goal is to place a wreath and honor every
veteran buried there. But to do that we need to get the word out, get
more people involved, and make the gift of remembrance an annual
tradition


Thank you

- See more here.   

Dear [name] This week I learned something surprising, and I wanted to bring it to your attention. The numbers for Wreaths Across America (wreaths to be placed on veterans headstones) are up 18% overall this year for the 900 participating locations, but I was shocked to learn that the numbers are way down for Arlington National Cemetery. - See more at: http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/category/2013-newsletter-stories/#sthash.HWzIZF82.dpuf

Special Note: if you are looking to support any of our other participating locations, you can find a complete list and fundraising pages here. - See more at: http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/category/2013-newsletter-stories/#sthash.HWzIZF82.dpuf

Wreaths Across America

Every year, a special ceremony takes place at Arlington. For the whole story go here.

December 11th this year again sees the national laying of wreaths to honor America's fallen:

Mark our Calendars - - - On Saturday, December 11, 2010, for the 19^th consecutive year, Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Company, Harrington, Maine, will again donate thousands of Maine balsam fir holiday wreaths to be placed on graves at Arlington National Cemetery. This year, in conjunction with wreaths sponsored through the Wreaths Across America program, there will be approximately 20,000 wreaths placed at Arlington in Sections 28, 38, 43 (in the older section of the Cemetery), and Section 60 where many of those lost in our current conflicts are buried. There will be a short welcome and briefing of all volunteers at 8:30am on that Saturday at the intersection of Lincoln and Mitchell Drives within the Cemetery. There will be signs directing you to the location. We will start placing wreaths at approximately 9:00am. There will be special wreath ceremonies at the Kennedy Family Memorial at 11:00am; at the Battleship USS Maine Monument at 11:30am and at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Noontime which we hope the volunteers will also attend. Last year we had over 5,000 volunteers helping to honor and remember our American Veterans buried at Arlington. I expect this number to be even greater this year...

Location ID

ARL

Location Leader

Wayne Hanson

Accepting Sponsorship Wreaths?

Yes

City

Arlington

State

Virginia

Country

United States

Telephone

Call Wreaths Across America HQ
at 207-470-0967

There are - of course - locations all across America. Go HERE to find one nearest to you.

[There is also a Wreaths Across Canada, which I just discovered. Based on the same principle as Wreaths Across America, you can find it here. ]