Spring Has Sprung!

Forgive the exuberance in the headline - but it was a long winter up here in Maine. The last several days however, have been gorgeous and productive. We have lots of news to share with you in this spring edition of the Wreaths Across America Newsletter.

I think you will be impressed with the many ways the Remember; Honor; and Teach message and mission are taking root all across the Country.

So let's get started...

2007 Recap!

• In total 32,553 wreaths were placed on veterans graves at a record 286 locations around the World. 8 different transportation companies donated their services for delivery;
• 14,406 wreaths were donated by Worcester Wreath Company, including 10,000 to Arlington; 2,500 to Togus; 1,876 ceremonial wreaths; and 30 statehouse ceremonial wreaths;
• 10,716 sponsorships were collected by Wreaths Across America via the website and work with sponsoring groups;
• 7,437 sponsorships were collected via Civil Air Patrol efforts;
• Attendance at participating locations around the Country estimated at over 25,000 in total, including over 3,000 at the Arlington event;
• For the first time, Wreaths Across America ceremonies were conducted at 23 National cemeteries on foreign soil, excluding only Tunisia where delivery logistics disrupted planning;
• The 2007 escort made 23 stops at schools, veterans’ homes, and community centers. An estimated 50,000 were exposed to the Wreaths Across America message and mission;
• The project was profiled in national publications such as Downeast Magazine, Yankee, Change, American Profile, and all the major news networks;
• Momentum going to the 2008 season is at an all-time high with location leaders already out meeting with groups and with ambitious planning for the number of wreaths to be placed.

Iowa City Joins The 'High Five' List!

This month we would like to congratulate on Le Ann and Mike Tyson for their work at Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City.

The Iowa City Press-Citizen also applauded the work of the Tysons with the following article (courtesy of Patrick Riepe).

Local Couple Recognized for Wreath Program
Iowa City Press-Citizen, March 16, 2008

Le Ann Tyson said she got the idea to bring the program, which honors fallen veterans by placing wreaths on their graves, after seeing a segment on it in 2006. Originally just focused on veterans buried at Arlington Cemetery in Washington, D.C., 2006 was the first year the program went nationwide, she said.

"I thought it was such a wonderful program," Le Ann Tyson said.

The Tysons already had a starting point in Iowa City. Mike's father, a marine who served during World War II, is buried at Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City. Mike said he knew from visiting his father's grave that there were many veterans -- close to 2,000 -- buried at Oakland. However, since the 2007 ceremony was going to be their first attempt at bringing the program to the area and with wreaths costing $15 each, the Tysons set their goal at 130 as they tried to represent each branch of the military.

"We didn't want it to get too big, too fast because we wanted it to be respectful," Le Ann Tyson said.

The Tysons got support from RE/MAX and partnered with Gay & Ciha Funeral Home. Local residents also bought wreaths for their loved ones. The couple said they tried to find veterans from as many American wars as possible, from the American Civil War to the war in Iraq.

The Tysons said they were able to learn much about veterans in the area and even helped connect people with relatives they never knew were there. Le Ann Tyson said they helped one of their colleagues find the memorial of an uncle who died during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

For the simultaneous nationwide ceremony on Dec. 15, the Tysons invited living veterans, enlisted soldiers from all of the military branches and Boy Scout troops. One of the goals of the program, the Tysons said, is to instill a sense of pride and patriotism into younger generations.

"I think the biggest thing it taught the younger kids is the cost of freedom," Mike Tyson said. "Freedom is paid in blood. It's not a birthright. It's something we have to protect."

The efforts of the Tysons also left an impression on Marine Corps Sgt. Denord Muhammad II, who nominated the couple for the prestigious award after meeting with them during the planning stages of the event and serving in the event. Muhammad said he was impressed at the Tysons' willingness to go the extra mile for people they had never met.

"It's very rare to see that type of quality in people today," Muhammad said. "I knew right off the bat I was talking with and meeting some really great people there."

Muhammad said he knew if they were nominated that the Tysons would receive the Commandant's recognition. The couple said they were surprised, coming to tears after being notified of the honor earlier this month.

"We do what we do because we believe it's the right thing to do," Le Ann Tyson said.

The couple said that recognition for their efforts won't slow them down as they hope to expand the program in 2008 and beyond.

"We'd like to see it grow across Johnson County and statewide," Le Ann Tyson said.

Want to see and hear more about Iowa City?

Question #1: How did you hear about/get involved with Wreaths Across America?

Le Ann first saw WAA featured on The Today Show in 2006. She thought it was such a beautiful way to honor, remember and teach our fellow Americans about the price of freedom in America.

Question #2: Tell us about the highlights at the Iowa City event - what was the best part for you and your participants?

t was beautiful to see so many people the community come together to honor our local veterans and those who are serving. We had great support from all branches of our local recruiting stations. A cemetery can be a very cold place (especially as the snow falls steadily). It was a day filled with honor and reverance that could only bring warmth to our hearts. The most poignant moment was at the end of the ceremony when the American Legion was folding the American flag and the wind was catching it. They were struggling to keep it up. One of the active duty Marine and Army guys each stepped up to help them. In the background stood some new recruits who came to the ceremony. Although it was a short moment captured in the mind's eye it will never be forgotten. It was such a beautiful sight to see and was truly the embodiment of what WAA is all about!

Question #3: With a magic wand in hand, what would you do to in the future to make the Iowa City event the best it could be?

Get the word out to everyone in the community so that people will know about this great program so that we will have the funds and resources to place a wreath on every veteran's gravesite in our county. We would also like to expand the involvement of the veteran's families and increase the number of people that work on the event.

Question #4: What is something that you are already planning to do that will make the 2008 event even better than last year?

We very much would like to have family members place the wreaths on their family member's gravesite with military escorts for the widows and mothers of those who have passed away. This will take some coordination as this is a public city cemetery with gravesite spread over a very large area.

Question #5: Why is this program so important to you?

The head of the Tyson, Harry Tyson, family taught all his children the price of FREEDOM is blood and the creed to live by is GOD, FAMILY, COUNTRY. It was his honor to serve as a Marine in WWII. It is our honor to remember all those who have served our country and paid this price. This is how we ensure that our young never forget what was given to them.

* Thanks again to Mike, Le Ann, and all of our location leaders who volunteer their time and are creating such moving experiences within their local communities.

If you have a suggestion for future 'High Five' profile, please let us know. We know their are a lot of deserving people out their and with time we hope to get to everyone. Just email me with your recommendations and requests!

A Coincedence or What It's All About?

Mom, Check this site out; look at the second row of pictures and below. These are from this past December. What are the chances? Ryan http://www.flickr.com/photos/gsojudy/

Judy: Are you the person that recently posted pictures on Flicker of the grave wreaths at Arlington? My son, a Special Forces Captain in the Army and serving in Afghanistan sent the e-mail below to me. Rubin V Poss, Jr. was my father, and died when I was 15, in 1969. I have never seen his gravesite. what a miracle of invention the Internet is: to allow a stranger to show me my father's gravesite. thank you, and bless you. Alta Viana Poss McDaniel

*What are the chances out of the 280,000+ markers at Arlington, that this wreath and this photo would reach Rubin Poss Jr's family? It is a nice reminder.

Many have served; Many have sacrificed; Let No One Be Forgotten.

One Last Announcement

This month the Wreaths Across America Board of Directors approved changes to the Wreath Sponsorship program that will engage more groups and organizations to get involved in bringing the wreaths to their local community.

The program changes make the sponsorship program even more attractive as a fundraiser, and will bring more wreaths for each sponsorship dollar. We know our Location Leaders are already hard at work meeting groups and businesses with goals to place thousands of wreaths in 2008.

So if you are involved with a group or organization that would like to join efforts for your local State or National veterans cemetery, please contact us. And stay tuned as we will be sharing program details in upcoming issues.

Highest regards,