May 11, 2007
Greetings,
Spring has finally sprung here in Maine and it seems summer is just around the corner! In this month's installment of the Wreaths Across America Newsletter we share news about MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND events, new projects you can get involved with, and how you can help us reach our goal in expanding the mission to Remember; Honor; & Teach.
**Wreaths Across America Announcement**
Wreaths Across America and Civil Air Patrol to attend Task Force Patriot USA at Stone Mountain Park, Georgia**Celebration Honoring Troops** Event will be Largest Memorial Day Weekend Event in Atlanta
STONE MOUNTAIN, GA. –Task Force Patriot USA, LifeWay Christian Resources, GM, Stone Mountain Park and the United States Air Force have joined together to create a three-day celebration honoring active duty and veteran U.S. troops and their families. Task Force Patriot Salute to the Troops, which will be the largest Memorial Day Weekend event in the Atlanta area, will take place May 26-28 at Stone Mountain Park and is expected to draw more than 100,000 people.
Task Force Patriot Salute to the Troops, which also is an official U.S. Air Force 60th anniversary event, will include daily activities such as spectacular flyovers by the U.S. Air Force, military bands, musicians, singers and military and civilian motivational speakers. Each evening guests can enjoy The Call to Freedom, a 2 _ hour show that will combine live music, fireworks and flyovers with the Park’s traditional Lasershow, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the United States Air Force.
On Sunday evening guests can enjoy a performance by country music favorite, Aaron Tippin. Tippin made his reputation with country hits such as “Working Man’s PH.D” and “You’ve Got to Stand for Something.” During the Gulf War in 1990, Aaron Tippin became the first singer to go to Saudi Arabia to entertain the troops. In 2002 he went to Afghanistan. Since 2003, he has been making annual visits to American forces in Iraq and has become the spokesperson for the Paralyzed Veterans of America.
There also will be a special presentation by founders of Wreaths Across America, an exhibit of vintage racing cars and a number of Air Force demonstrations including display aircraft, gyroscope rides, bomb disposal robots and a medical corps mobile museum.
“We are pleased to honor those who have served and currently serve our nation through this historic Memorial Day Weekend celebration,” said Jim Freeman, retired Major, U.S Army, and founder/CEO of Atlanta-based Task Force Patriot USA, a non-profit organization that exists to help U.S. military veterans and their families in times of physical, spiritual and emotional need. “This is an opportunity to tangibly demonstrate our appreciation and support for those who have sacrificed so much on our behalf,” he added.
To learn more about Task Force Patriot,
Click Here (Task Force Patriot)
Help us build our newsletter
Do you have ideas or suggestions that might be included in future editions of the Wreaths Across America Newsletter?Yes we will continue to share latest news and announcements, but we would also like to share some of the amazing human interest stories that are shared at any of the events.
Just email us with your suggestions. We can't share them all, but we already are building a list for inclusion and we would love to hear more.
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And if you have a friend or other like-minded soul who might appreciate hearing about the Wreaths Across America project, please encourage them to visit the website
www.wreaths-across-america.org
or subscribe to the Wreaths Across America Newsletter. Forward this copy to give them a taste of our mission to Remember; Honor; & Teach, or send them directly to the subscription page at
Wreaths Across America Newsletter Subscription (FREE)
**LAST CHANCE - RECIPES NEEDED**
As we told you last month, in an effort to share and promote participation in the Wreaths Across America events, the National Funeral Directors Association will soon be introducing a collection of favorite recipes from Wreaths Across America supporters Nationwide.Well, the deadline is fast approaching, but we do have space for several more recipes to be added to the collection. So here's your LAST CHANCE. Don't be shy about sharing that favorite dish, dessert or drink recipe - all for a GOOD CAUSE!
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION IS MAY 15th, 2007.
For more information on how to submit, please email Sally Belanger - MFDA Executive Director and Wreaths Across America Board Member
(Click Here to Send Email)
p.s. Sally has been a cyclone of activity since coming on board as a board member in March. This lady gets things done! So thanks for all your work on this Sally - we can't wait to see the cookbooks in the fall.
Help Spread The Word - We Need Your Help
In 2007, we are expanding the scope of the wreath-laying events to over 200 locations and 500,000 wreaths! We need your help to reach this ambitious goal!If you haven't done so, please take a moment to sponsor one or more wreaths that will be laid at the headstones of our nation's veterans.
Please share this newsletter with your friends and family. There is a tremendous amount of work that needs to be done before next December and WE NEED YOUR HELP getting the word out.
To learn more about Wreaths Across America and how we fulfill out mission to Remember; Honor; & Teach, click on this link below:
That's it for May. This is an important month in many ways. With the change of seasons, it is also time to express our solemn gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy.
Memorial Day is a nice reminder and celebrated wonderfully in many communities around the Country - but please don't forget to send a daily thought or prayer of thanks for those who serve and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
It's easy to get caught up in the turbulence of daily life, but we hope that Wreaths Across America can play a small part in sharing a gentle reminder - that our freedoms have come at a great cost.
God Bless!
Regards,
Tobin Slaven Wreaths Across America Writer and Spokesperson