On behalf of the Wreaths Across America organization and our family of volunteers and supporters across the country, I want to personally thank YOU for your support of the mission to Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom.
During this year’s National Wreaths Across America observance, more than three million dedicated volunteers – a third of whom are children – placed THREE million veterans’ wreaths at 4,225 participating locations across the country. That is more than 500 new locations added to the program since last year! Specifically, at Arlington National Cemetery where this all began, 260,000 veterans’ wreaths were placed by more than 30,000 volunteers on a truly gorgeous day.
As I think of those numbers, each of those headstones representing a LIFE of service, and each of those volunteers saying each servicemember’s name out loud and sharing a small gesture of gratitude for the freedoms Americans enjoy, I am immensely humbled. I am also truly overwhelmed with pride for the people of this great nation where so many individuals and communities can come together in unity and support for those who have protected our freedom. And most important to me, so many children were taken by the hand and introduced to these men and women and taught about the cost of freedom.
I will say it again: THANK YOU. Thank you for your volunteerism, your sponsorships, and your help in sharing the mission all year long!
Thank you most of all for taking the time during this busy season to join us in letting veterans and military families know that their service and sacrifice are both seen and appreciated and that they are not alone in their loss.
Remember. Honor. Teach.
With gratitude,
Karen Worcester
Royal Canadian Legion, US Branch #25 