Dear Michael Barbour,

This weekend the staff of WAA and the community of Columbia Falls, Maine, will welcome WAA volunteers, sponsors, partners, veterans, and Blue Star and Gold Star families to our 10th Annual Stem to Stone event.

We have been busy planning a full three days of fun, fellowship and entertainment and will also take the opportunity to honor the accomplishments of some of our special guests.

The goal of this event is to unite and focus on our year-round mission to Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom, as well as provide an opportunity to see the “journey“ of a veteran’s wreath. This journey starts in Downeast Maine with the harvesting of tips or boughs from the balsam trees and ends with the careful placement on the headstones of our American heroes all over the world.

Although the mechanics of what this amazing team accomplishes are impressive, the inspiration of the story is what people can accomplish when they come together for a common good. This program and mission continue to grow because of thousands of individuals who step up to “play a part,” register a location to participate, download and share curriculum, donate trucking services, raise funds for sponsorships or maybe transport a veteran to a ceremony, or join us in placing wreaths on National Wreaths Across America Day. The contribution of time and commitment by our volunteers is literally the key factor in our successful mission!

In the next few days, we will share laughter and tears, learn from each other’s experiences and hopefully take away a renewed commitment to share with our millions of supporters.

I personally want to thank all of you for your continued support. It is the hands and hearts of those along the way that make it possible for a successful journey from Stem to Stone.

“No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orchestra to play it.” H.E. Luccock 

Remember – Honor – Teach

With gratitude,

Karen Worcester

Executive Director

Podcasts for Veterans on Wreaths Across America Radio

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is shining a light on podcasts for veterans.

Wreaths Across America Radio, which is available wherever you are 24/7, features several podcasts for veterans including #StillServing: The VFW Podcast and Your Next Mission Podcast.

Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit Tour Honors Our Nation’s Veterans in Local Communities

Since the Mobile Education Exhibit (MEE) hit the road in 2018, it has traveled so much further than WAA could have anticipated – in 2023 alone, the MEE has visited nine states, joined 83 community events, had 8,495 visitors on board, welcomed home 1,575 Vietnam veterans, and officially thanked 113 military families for their sacrifices.

Wreaths Radio Partners with Stars and Stripes

Wreaths Radio is proud to announce a partnership with Stars and Stripes, which provides news to the U.S. military community. To celebrate this partnership, the publication is offering a 50% discount on annual subscriptions to Stripes.com using the code WREATH. Tune in to the Wreaths Across America Radio Morning Show on weekdays at 7 AM ET and 9 AM ET to hear Stars and Stripes news with host Michael W. Hale!

A Back to School Message from Wreaths Across America’s Curriculum Developer

Did you know that last year on National Wreaths Across America Day, over one million children volunteered to lay veterans’ wreaths in cemeteries across the United States?

We believe in teaching the value of freedom year-round. Educators and learners of all ages can download our Back to School lesson plans and the rest of our curriculum below.

Remembrance Tree Program

Have you participated in our Veterans Remembrance Tree Program? Free, and open to all families who have had a loved one in the military, the Program creates a living memorial for a service member. Click below to learn more and have a replica dog tag created and attached to a  Remembrance Tree honoring a loved one.

Featured Merchandise

The Wreaths Across America Garden Flag, featuring our 2023 theme, is the perfect summertime gift!

This Garden Flag is also a great way to showcase your support of the mission in your beautiful flower beds.