Dear Michael Barbour,

National Medal of Honor Day is Friday, March 25, 2022.

In 2018, my husband Morrill Worcester and I were honored, and incredibly humbled, to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s Patriot Award.

The work that we have been blessed to do through nonprofit Wreaths Across America has afforded us opportunities to meet so many amazing Gold and Blue Star families, veterans, and active-duty military all who have played a part in strengthening our resolve to share their stories of service and sacrifice.

You can’t imagine how thrilled we were to have the chance to meet so many veterans, who had “distinguished themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their lives above and beyond the call of duty.”

It is not an exaggeration to say that meeting and getting to know some of these heroes has changed our lives and helped guide the Wreaths Across America mission to Remember, Honor and Teach. As we and a grateful nation celebrate National Medal of Honor Day, I’d like to share a few memories that I will carry in my heart forever.

To read more about the men behind the medals, click here.

Remember – Honor – Teach

With gratitude,

Karen Worcester

Executive Director

Join Us Live!

Wreaths Across America will host a National Medal of Honor Day Ceremony at 12pm ET/ 9 am PT on Friday, March 25, to Honor all those who have “distinguished themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their lives above and beyond the call of duty.”

Wreaths Across America RoundTable – Veteran Caregivers

Tune in TONIGHT,  Thursday, March 24 at 7pm ET

Whether we know it or not, all of us will serve as a caregiver for a loved one at some point in our lives. For some it is obvious, an elderly parent, an ailing spouse, unable to fully take care of themselves because of their condition. For others it’s less obvious, or perhaps they don’t realize it – the child being extra helpful, the spouse managing medical appointments. However we define it, caregivers are a critical component of our healthcare system and to support the health of loved ones – it is a difficult and often thankless job. This is especially true of our Military and Veteran populations.

More than half of our Veteran population is over the age of 65. They are at greater risk of suffering from malnutrition, substance abuse disorders, and post traumatic stress. Veterans are more likely to be dealing with two or more chronic conditions adding further complications to their care. Most tragic, while we typically associate suicide with young people – older Veterans account for almost 60 percent of Veteran suicides.

At Wreaths Across America we see this every day – these are not just statistics – these are our volunteers, our partners, our family. This month, Karen and Joe will be hosting a roundtable discussion talking about caregivers, highlighting the challenges, as well as the resources available to those caring for a loved one. We’re excited to partner with The American Red Cross, and Heroes Bridge to have an open and honest conversation about providing care to a loved one, and the resources available to support those providing that care. While our conversation is going to be primarily focused on caregivers to Veterans, we are certain that the conversation will be helpful to anyone who finds themselves at a point in their life where they are providing care to a loved one. As with all of our roundtable discussions on Wreaths Across America radio, our conversation is meant to focus on healing through shared stories of resilience, purpose, and success.

This discussion, hosted by Executive Director Karen Worcester and Director of Military & Veteran Outreach Joe Reagan will focus on Military Caregivers. Guests will include Melissa Comeau, Director of the American Red Cross Military and Veteran Caregiver Network andMolly Brooks, Registered Nurse as well as the CEO and Founder of Hero’s Bridge.

A 250th Birthday Present to America 

Imagine a place that will build unity and pride for our country.  A place that is part national monument, part historical adventure, part immersive tech-driven museum, part architectural wonder. A place that will make history.

Born from a desire to advance unity and patriotism in America, members of the founding family of Wreaths Across America – Morrill, Mike, and Rob Worcester – are announcing their next large-scale project, the Flagpole of Freedom Park that will be located in the expansive tip lands of their balsam fir farm; the largest balsam farm in the U.S. where the wreaths are made.

After a decade of planning, this visionary Park will feature Remembrance Walls with the names of all 24 million American veterans since the Revolutionary – the only place in the nation to honor all of them in one place. At its center, standing taller than the Empire State Building, will be the world’s largest Flagpole and American Flag ever flown, symbolizing the commitment and sacrifice made to protect the freedoms of today.

Join Morrill, Mike and Rob Worcester on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at 7 p.m. as they unveil this historic project that will humanize key events that have shaped our country’s history.  Phase one of the Park will open on July 4, 2026 – America’s 250th birthday.

ICYMI: 60th Anniversary of the Disappearance of Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 

On March 16, 2022, WAA commemorated the 60th anniversary of the disappearance of Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 at the monument dedicated to the 93 soldiers and 11 flight crew members lost that day, and all their families who were left behind.

The inscription on the Monument reads:

“Missing in action; Presumed dead. Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 went missing on March 16, 1962, with 93 U.S. Army soldiers on board. These men and their flight crew perished in what would become one of the biggest aviation mysteries out of the Vietnam War era.

THE NAMES OF THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES AND WHO REMAIN MISSING ARE INSCRIBED HERE SO THAT THEY WILL BE SAID ALOUD AND THEIR MEMORY WILL LIVE ON.”

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Featured Merchandise

Don’t miss the chance to add Wreaths Across America’s 2022 theme, Find A Way To Serve, to your ornament collection!