Each year, millions of Americans come together to remember the fallen, honor those that serve and their families, and teach the next generation about the value of freedom. This gathering of individuals and communities takes place in local and national cemeteries in all 50 states as part of National Wreaths Across America Day. Each year, a new theme is chosen to help supporters focus their messaging and outreach in their own communities. Today, the national nonprofit announces the theme for 2018 is “Be their witness.”
The millions of volunteers who devote so much of themselves to raise awareness for the mission to remember, honor, teach, in their own communities utilize the annual theme when planning local events and activities in preparation for National Wreaths Across America Day, which will take place this year on Saturday, December 15, 2018.
The inspiration for this year’s theme stems from the 2009 drama “Taking Chance,” which was based on the experiences of U.S. Marine Lt. Colonel Michael Strobl, who escorted the body of a fallen Marine, PFC Chance Phelps back to his hometown in Wyoming from the Iraq War. “Through the Wreaths Across America program, we are ensuring that the lives of our men and women in uniform are remembered, not their deaths. It is our responsibility as Americans, to be their witness and to share their stories of service and sacrifice with the next generation.”
In 2017, more than 1.5 million veteran wreaths were placed on headstones at 1,422 participating cemeteries around the country in honor of the service and sacrifices made for our freedoms, with each name said out loud.
Boy Scout Troop 42 in Lakeport, Girl Scouts in Kelseyville, the Lake County 4-H Group and FFA will be accepting donations for wreaths until Dec 13. Individual sponsorships cost $15 for one wreath and the family option costs $60 for four wreaths, small businesses can fund 10 wreaths for $150 and corporations can sponsor 100 or more wreaths for $1,500 or any amount can be sponsored for $15 per wreath.
Toni Funderburg, Coordinator of WAA in Lake County stated that sponsorship forms can be picked up at Lakeport Tire & Auto Service, 1901 S. Main St. Lakeport or you can call 263-5422 and they will fax or email you a sponsorship form. Or go to www.wreathsacrossamerica.org and sponsor a wreath and payment can be made with a credit card. Funderburg urged people to please make sure to designate the cemetery and sponsoring group.
“This will be our 11th year participating in the Wreaths Across America program.,” she noted. “Our first year, seven ceremonial wreaths were placed for the seven divisions of the military during a WAA Ceremony at the Hartley Cemetery.”
She added that since that first year ceremonies are being held at five locations including Hartley, Kelseyville, Upper Lake, Lower Lake and St. Mary’s. Youth organizations are reaching out for sponsorships to place as many wreaths as possible on veterans’ gravesites and anyone is invited to participate.
“Just let us know you would like to volunteer by going to the www.wreathsacrossamerica.com website and look for the Volunteer button and set yourself up as a volunteer at one of the five cemeteries and then you will receive up-to-date information by email,” said Funderburg.
“When we come together to place wreaths, there are people from the left and the right, it doesn’t matter your faith or your politics. We are there as Americans” stated Karen Worcester. “Our mission welcomes anyone to join us in remembering those who gave their lives for our freedom, including our freedom to be different from one another. And now, more than ever, we want to help people find common ground with one another by supporting our military and their families.”
Why does WAA do what it does? Veterans are honored on Veterans Day in the fall and Memorial Day in the spring. But our service men and women sacrifice their time and safety every single day of the year, to preserve our freedoms. At many homes, there is an empty seat for one who is serving, or one who made the ultimate sacrifice for our Country. WAA honors our veterans every day.
“There is no better time to express appreciation for our veterans than during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season,” noted Funderburg. “Everyone knows or has known a Veteran. We’re on a mission to remember, honor and teach. Join us by sponsoring a wreath to be placed in honor of a veteran this December. We’ll ensure that their sacrifice is remembered yet again and passed on to a new generation of Americans.”
