Last month's installment of the Wreaths Across America Newsletter shared some exciting news - about the creation of the new non-profit organization and steps being taken to act on the mission to Remember; Honor; & Teach.

If you have been waiting to hear more, your patience has finally paid off! In a special announcement ONLY to Wreaths Across America Newsletter subscribers, we are sharing a preview of the press release and announcement that will take place today, March 1st in Washington D.C.

We are super excited about this development and the impact that it will have around the Country - so without further ado - here's the release!

Wreaths Across America and Civil Air Patrol join together to kick-off a National Sponsorship Campaign

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. - 52 Civil Air Patrol wings will be participating in a partnership with Wreaths Across America in which the public will be provided a first-ever opportunity to sponsor the placement of holiday wreaths on veterans graves across the U.S. in 2007.

The Civil Air Patrol and Wreaths Across America will hold a press conference on Thursday, March 1, at 3:00 p.m. in the Madison Room at the Crystal Gateway Marriot in Arlington, Va., to kick off the 2007 Wreaths Across America project. The wreath-laying ceremonies will be held on Dec. 15, 2007.

Wreaths Across America began in 2006 as an offshoot of the Arlington National Cemetery wreath project, which was started in 1992 with the annual placement of wreaths donated by Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine. The Wreaths Across America ceremonies were conducted largely by CAP wings and squadrons with the help of veterans' organizations; private citizens; the Maine State Society of Washington, D.C., which annually assists with the laying of wreaths at Arlington; and the Patriot Guard Riders, an organization consisting of nearly 80,000 motorcyclists whose primary mission is the attend the funeral of fallen heroes nationwide. In its first year, Wreaths Across America wreath-laying ceremonies were held at more than 240 national and state veterans' cemeteries across the country and in Puerto Rico.

In addition to sponsored wreaths, 10,000 holiday wreaths for Arlington National Cemetery and 4,000 holiday wreaths for ceremonies in all 50 states plus offshore veteran's cemeteries around the world will be donated by Worcester Wreath Co. in 2007. "Our mission is to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach our children the value of freedom," said Karen Worcester, Wreaths Across America executive director. "Thousands of CAP members last year participated and helped us to do just that, and this year's Wreaths Across America promises to take this worthwhile endeavor to even greater heights."

"CAP is a proud partner with Wreaths Across America," said CAP National Commander Maj. Gen. Antonio J. Pineda. "This project will provide citizens across the country the opportunity to join with CAP members in celebrating the freedom we all enjoy by honoring those who made it possible -- our fallen heroes."

We've received emails, letters and calls from many interested parties asking to do just this very thing - and in partnership with Civil Air Patrol, Wreaths Across America is moving to meet this need.

And the greatest part is, the sponsorship will not only fund the laying of a wreaths on one or more headstones during the holidays, but will also provide for the other stated missions, to Honor; & Teach with outreach programs to both veterans and educational opportunities for children all around the Country.

For more information about the new National Sponsorship Campaign, check out the website at: www.wreaths-across-america.org

Again we want say THANK YOU to everyone who helped make the 2006 campaign such a success. If you are interested in getting involved in 2007, we hope you will contact us!

Regards,

Tobin Slaven Wreaths Across America Writer and Spokesperson