Memorial Day is just around the corner!

From Memorial Day to the 4th of July, from Veterans Day to this coming December 13th when all the wreaths will be placed in remembrance, Wreaths Across America's mission is about taking a small moment each day - to Remember; Honor; and Teach about the sacrifices freely given to preserve our freedoms.

This issue of the newsletter will share several stories that we have collected from different parts of the Country - demonstrating how those who serve, and those who sacrificed, will never be forgotten.

And of course, it is not about the wreaths themselves. A wreath is only a symbol, recognized throughout history as garland of honor and respect. It doesn't matter if it is one wreath or thousands - I think you will be impressed with how many people are making it their mission, to Remember; Honor; and Teach.

Vermont Veterans' Home Inspired
to Remember the Long Forgotten

[Story written by Patrick McArdle of the Times Argus Newspaper of Montpelier, VT (see below for link to full article)]

It seems last December when folks at the Vermont Veterans Home gathered to participate in the Wreaths Across America wreath laying ceremony, people noticed that many of the older stones on the grounds had become so worn and weathered, that the names became difficult to read. Many of these stones were erected for Vermont veterans of the Civil War.

Lewis Bowman, veterans liaison at home, with support from several of the state's congressional members, contacted the VA about a program to replace 200 headstones.

Family members of the veterans interred at the cemetery will be invited to the ceremony planned for this coming Veterans' Day - November 11th, 2008.

Kudos to Mr. Bowman and all the those involved with the extra effort to honor their own long after the bugles have faded away!

If you would like to read more about this story, click here to see the Times Argus Article.

'High Five' to Houston National

This issue we take a look at all the work going into the events slated for Houston National Cemetery. I think you will be impressed about how folks are thinking "BIG" in Texas!

First, let's give compliments to Capt. Denise Thompson (CAP) our Location Leader who is organizing the wreath laying ceremony for the 7 ceremonial wreaths.

In addition, we have made a wonderful contact with Scott DeMasi of "Wreaths Across America Houston" - a group of volunteers that is focused on the goal of placing a sponsored wreath on each of the 52,000+ graves at Houston National.

Now that sounds like an ambitious goal (remember there were 3,000 people in Arlington last December who participated in placing 10,000 wreaths) - but listen to the all the work WAA Houston has already accomplished:

1. WAA Houston was adopted by KHOU Channel 11 (CBS) in Houston to be the official media sponsor. They have a great deal of coverage planned. They will be doing a kick-off with "Christmas in July" along with multiple PSA ads, three telethons, and several odd coverages as well.

2. WAA Houston has its own website up and running - you can even click over to see what they are doing at

www.WAAHouston.com

3. They have a company that will be setting up live web-cams for the event so our military folks in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the World can watch the ceremony live.

4. In addition, they have already done several radio interviews detailing the project, have over 300 volunteers signed up, and already over $100,000 in corporate commitments to reach their goal!

Whew! They have been busy down there in Texas.

Scot DeMasi anwers the 'High Five'
for WAA Houston

In 2007 my son and I wanted to be a part of the wreath placement at the Houston National Cemetery but found out that they don't do the gravesites in Houston. I explained about funding issues but with 6 year old logic he states "That's Not Fair!" We dropped it but later that day while discussing something completely different he asks "What can one person do?"

We talk about Ben Franklin and Thomas Edison and what they did and the in the same 6 year old logic he states "Well lets go get some wreaths." It was very much like a light bulb coming on. I contacted our CAP contact and Karen. I spoke with several friends and they all seemed thrilled to be included. With all that support we started WAA Houston in January 2008 with the goal to cover every one of the 53,000+ gravesites at the Houston National Cemetery. We will do it.

Question #2: What is unique about the Houston event?

CAP has done an excellent job with this event but they have never had much support from the community to make it what it could be. Our planning committee has no intentions on settling for less than 100%. To my understanding this will be larger than any event of it's kind in the US.

Texas has always tried to do things with an attitude of bigger and better. I can't think of a better way to show that then the WAA Houston project. Other differences are that we have taken the time to construct our own WAA Houston website, power point presentations, established local banking, and can take credit cards online. This makes us self sufficient as far as controlling how our project goes and we can adapt and change things to accommodate our fundraising goals.

Question #3: Tell us how you are enlisting the help of other groups, businesses and organizations?

I purposely designed a very diverse group for our planning committee. We have folks from Fortune 500 companies, self employed individuals, people from the food services, from the energy sector, and from the retail sector. With that diversity we are able to tap each of their contact bases for a much wider variety of participants. We have a lady that has come to specialize in the multitude of groups that exists for the armed forces.

With her help we are contacting every VFW hall within a hundred miles. We are contacting all of the support groups, lions clubs, masons, chambers etc.... Each of these gets an introduction letter of who we are and what we are doing as well as one of our tri-fold hand outs and an flyer for their wall. From there we field phone calls and e-mails looking for more information. Most of these will get involved in one way or another. Some will just send some money, some will volunteer in some way, and others will go all out to raise funds and do anything they can do to help. We welcome all of them.

Question #4: What are you most excited about for December 2008?

Our group has shed many tears and moving moments just at this stage. Every time we present this to people we get hugs, handshakes, and immense gratitude just by the fact that we have chosen to tackle the project and that somebody cares. The project touches so many people in such different ways, that you cannot help but be changed in some way yourself. I see that happening now with my family and the great group of people that I am working with to make this happen. This is one of those things where it's not only the destination you are trying to reach but just as important is the journey to get there.

Question #5: One last question (because I couldn't resist - Is it true everything is bigger in Texas?

Absolutely! I have friends up North who can drive to three different states in under an hour. I can't even drive across Houston in an hour and it takes four hours to get to Dallas. The people are different down here, they don't rush as much all though that is not as true as it used to be.

* Thanks again to Scott, Denise, and all of our location leaders who volunteer their time and are creating such moving experiences within their communities.

And one last thought from Houston - a favorite quote that Scott shared that is also one my own favorites - "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way you're right!"

What a great "CAN DO" attitude from our friends in Texas.

One Last Announcement

I like to share these additions with our readers before they go up on the site - so here it is...

That's all for this issue - but we have more great stuff coming your way later this month!

Highest regards,