November 26, 2007
Hello,
Things are hectic and busy in the Wreaths Across America office and around the Nation as many volunteers are making plans for the December wreath-laying events.
This month we are sharing news about the events planned for the coming days, and as always a few short snippets of people involved and touched by the wreath-laying tradition.
And if you haven't been to the website in awhile - you will see a big change on the list of locations. We have created a page for EVERY PARTICIPATING LOCATION (over 260!) where you can find pertinent details, contact other volunteers, share pictures, thoughts and reflections. With time each location will become almost a website within the Wreaths Across America.org site!
2007 Escort Itinerary Available!
Wreaths Across America staff have been busy on the phones and email the last several weeks, confirming plans with our Location Leaders all around the Country.Another planning group has put together the itinerary for the Patriot Guard escort of the wreaths from Maine all the way to Virgina. With 22+ stops over the 750 mile journey, we have to believe that this year's event will be the World's Longest Veterans Parade.
This is the second year of the escort, which is designed to carry the message to more people, and thank more veterans along the way. Special thanks to John and Bunny O'Leary of Maine PGR for all their work in helping us pull the details together.
For more information visit the 2007 Escort Itinerary page.
Something New for 2007!
The 2007 list of participating locations, including state and national veterans cemeteries, veterans monuments and the like, has grown to over 260+ sites!One new addition this year however, is the statehouse ceremonies being coordinated for each state and at the Nation's capital on Monday, December 10th at 12:00 noon. At least count before coming to press, over 33 states were signed on to host the wreath-laying event. Worcester Wreath Company has agreed to donate the 36" ceremonial wreaths another way to commemorate the holidays with a sincere thank you to all our veterans for their service and sacrifice.
We have a number of groups pitching in to make this a reality, including state funeral directors associations, the VFW auxiliary and even some of our location leaders who are doing double duty on Monday and Saturday. At the Nation's Capitol, we have a special speaker planned - William "Ziggy" Zwicharowski who works with the Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs in preparing the return of our loved ones from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. It will be a special event we hope you will be able to attend if you are in town that week.
We are still building our contact pages for the statehouse ceremonies so if you would like more information, please contact Wreaths Across America HQ.
As you prepare your holiday cards...
Here's an interesting note we received via email that we thought you might be interested in.When doing your Holiday cards this year, take one card and send it to this address. If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful special people who have sacrificed so much would get. When you are making out your Holiday card list this year, please include the following:
A Recovering American Soldier c/oWalterReed ArmyMedical Center 6900 Georgia Avenue,NW Washington,D.C.20307-5001
And lastly, a special thanks...
When it comes to saying thanks, to our service men and women, and to the many volunteers who put so much time and effort into the annual wreath-laying events, there is no end to the number of people who deserve special recognition.But this month we want to take a moment to mention the name of a patriot from the state of Maine, a man who although not connected with the Wreaths Across America project, has been a long-time supporter of veterans in the most touching ways.
A few days ago, Morrill Worcester and I were fortunate enough to eat breakfast with Galen Cole, founder and president of the Galen Cole Family Foundation and the Cole Land Transportation Museum located in Bangor, Maine. If you are ever traveling thru the state, set aside time for a stop and you will be richly rewarded.
Beyond Mr. Cole's own service in WWII, Galen has made it his mission to reach our veterans and young people in such a unique way. In addition to its many philanthropic endeavors, the museum/foundation has facilitated over 15,000 interviews of veterans by visiting school children. What a wonderful way to both preserve our history and teach our children about their heritage.
You might also know that the Cole Foundation and museum have given out over 5,000 walking sticks in way of thanks to veterans from the state of Maine, and over 2,000 American flags to communities wishing to display their true colors.
If you would like to learn more about the Cole Family Foundation and the Cole Land Transportation Museum, visit The Cole Transportation Museum Website
That's it for this edition. Soon we will be sharing more amazing stories from events all around the Country. As always, if you have an idea or story you would like to share, please feel free to drop me a note.
Happy Holidays and see you in December!
Tobin Wreaths Across America