Author Archives: Michael K. Barbour

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About Michael K. Barbour

Michael K. Barbour is the Director of Faculty Development and a Professor of Instructional Design for the College of Education and Health Sciences at Touro University California. He has been involved with K-12 online learning in a variety of countries for well over a decade as a researcher, teacher, course designer and administrator. Michael's research focuses on the effective design, delivery and support of K-12 online learning, particularly for students located in rural jurisdictions.

Keep Moving Forward: Wreaths Across America’s 2025 Theme

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A notice from the Wreaths Across America organization.

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Dear Michael Barbour,

On behalf of the Wreaths Across America organization and our family of volunteers and supporters, I want to thank YOU for supporting the mission to Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom.

 

Together, we honored just over THREE million service members at 4,909 participating locations nationwide with the help of 7,566 sponsorship groups. Of these, 784 are new locations this year, with 353 ceremony-only locations and 4,556 locations placing sponsored wreaths. At Arlington National Cemetery, where this all began, more than 260,000 veterans’ wreaths were placed by 32,000 volunteers on a truly gorgeous day.

 

I have been reflecting on this year’s theme—Live with Purpose—and I hope each of you will carry it forward as a mindset in your daily lives. Throughout 2024, we learned stories of those living with purpose and focusing on service attributes, as described in the poem my husband Morrill wrote all those years ago for Gold Star parents, Mary and Lloyd Byers.
Live with Purpose Final

This poem describes the attributes that make up a veteran’s wreath (and those who serve our country) that inspired the 2024 theme. It is only fitting that the theme for 2025 should reflect this same spirit, a call to action for our volunteers and supporters in the communities they serve. Mary and Lloyd’s son, Captain Joshua Byers, was the Company Commander of Fox Troop in the 2/3ACR service in Iraq in 2003 when an IED struck his Humvee. As the smoke filled the air, Josh gave a last command to his driver to “Keep Moving Forward.” Though Josh didn’t make it home, this command saved lives and became a battle cry for his unit and family.

 

I am proud to announce this as the theme for 2025. There will always be challenges to overcome as individuals, communities and a country, but we must keep moving forward together. We look forward to sharing not only the Byers’ story of resilience but so many others who continue to live with purpose every day, and keep moving forward.

 

Thank you 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.

 

With gratitude,
Karen Worcester
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Share Your Wreaths Day Photos!
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We want to see your photos from National Wreaths Across America Day!

 

Click on the link below to share your photos.
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Matching Campaign

Through Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 – all wreaths sponsored through a registered WAA Sponsorship Group will be matched by HQ for placement on next year’s National Wreaths Across America Day – Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025!
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Visit the Mobile Education Exhibit in January
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In January, the Mobile Education Exhibit will make several stops in Arizona!

 

Click here to learn more about the Mobile Education Exhibit or submit a request for it to come to your community in 2025.
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Featured Merchandise

Add our new American flag Camouflage Hat to your collection!

 

It has the American flag on the brim and the Wreaths Across America logo on a genuine leather patch.
NEW! American flag Camouflage Hat
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Make sure to follow Wreaths Across America official channels on social media for the most up-to-the-minute news on the mission throughout the year:
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Wreaths Across America, PO Box 249, Columbia Falls, ME 04623, United States, 877-385-9504

Salute! December 2024

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A newsletter from Veterans Affairs Canada.

December 2024

The latest issue of Salute! has been released. View the latest issue of Salute! online.

Let us know what you think about Salute! by emailing us.

 

Sincerely,

Salute! Team

Veterans Affairs Canada

Let’s Talk Veterans allows more people to have their say on issues related to Veterans and their families. This consultation platform allows the Veteran community and Canadians to provide VAC with direct feedback that helps us improve our programs and services.

Do you know other Veterans, family members or others who would benefit from the information in this newsletter? Please share it with your friends and contacts.
You’re receiving this email because you are a registered participant on Let’s Talk Veterans.

Happy Holidays! 🍁 Meilleurs vœux!

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Season greetings to members form the folks at the Juno Beach Centre in France.

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During our winter closure, we devoted our time to finalizing the work on Faces of Canada Today and general maintenance at the Juno Beach Centre

Pendant la fermeture annuelle de janvier, finalisation des travaux de la salle
Visages du Canada d’aujourd’hui et maintenance du Centre Juno Beach.
The Faces of Canada Today exhibit renewal was unveiled to the public.

Dévoilement au public de la nouvelle salle Visages du Canada d’aujourd’hui.
Our latest temporary exhibition launched, commemorating the Royal Canadian Air Force’s role in the Second World War

Ouverture de la nouvelle exposition temporaire commémorant le rôle de l’Aviation royale du Canada pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale.
The Centre lit up blue, marking the 100th anniversary of the RCAF.
We welcomed the federal government’s announcement of $3.8 million over five years to support our work.

Illumination du Centre en bleu pour le 100e anniversaire de l’Aviation royale canadienne.
Annonce par le gouvernement fédéral de son soutien au Centre à hauteur de $3,8 millions sur cinq ans. 
Don Foster, one of the JBCA’s directors, screened the Legacy of Honor videos at the Comox Air Show. The Centre marked the 79th anniversary of VE Day. The new exhibition “Grandpa, Grandma, what was it like during the war? Courseulles-sur-Mer, 1940-1944” was discovered by the families of the witnesses. In partnership with EFS, we organized our first blood drive at the museum.

Projection des vidéos l’Honneur en Héritage au Salon aéronautique de Comox par Don Foster, l’un des administrateurs de la JBCA.
79e anniversaire du Jour de la Victoire en Europe.
Exposition dans le hall Papi, mamie, c’était comment pendant la guerre ? Courseulles-sur-Mer, 1940-1944.
En partenariat avec l’EFS, organisation d’une première collecte de sang au musée.
June 6 marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day. We hosted the Canadian ceremony, organized by Veterans Affairs Canada, in the presence of 13 Veterans. The ceremony was attended by His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales, the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, and Mr. Gabriel Attal, Prime Minister of France.

Le 6 juin a marqué le 80è anniversaire du Débarquement. Accueil de la cérémonie canadienne, organisée par Anciens Combattants Canada, en présence de 13 vétérans canadiens, Son Altesse Royale le prince William du Royaume-Uni, prince de Galles, le très honorable Justin Trudeau, premier ministre du Canada et M.Gabriel Attal, premier ministre de la France. 
The month of June was full of events and important visitors. We hosted many dignitaries, including Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, the Burlington Teen Tour Band, the Canadian Remembrance Torch and several families of soldiers who landed on Juno Beach. Veteran Jim Parks marked the anniversary year with us, helping us inaugurate our latest room, and getting to land on the beach in a DUKW 80 years later.
The JBC unveiled its plans for a five-year capital campaign.

Un mois de juin riche en événements et en visiteurs importants. Accueil de nombreux dignitaires, dont le premier ministre du Manitoba, Wab Kinew, le Burlington Teen Tour Band, le Flambeau du Souvenir canadien et des familles de soldats qui ont débarqué sur Juno Beach.
Le vétéran Jim Parks a débarqué sur la plage à bord d’un DUKW 80 ans après le Jour J. Il a soutenu le Centre par sa présence pour le 80è anniversaire et lors de l’inauguration de la nouvelle salle sur le Canada d’aujourd’hui.
Dévoilement des plans pour une campagne de financement de cinq ans.
Canada Day was filled with activities for young and old.
Ahead of the Paris Olympics, the Canadian swim team visited the Centre.

Une fête du Canada riche en activités pour les petits et les grands.
Visite de l’équipe canadienne de natation avant les Jeux Olympiques de Paris.
Acadian Week was marked with several events at the Centre.
Graduating students Emily Goard and Claire Hickey from Garth Webb Secondary School were awarded with the Juno Beach Centre Association Awards.
EF Educational Tours sent more than 1,800 Canadian students to the JBC, many of whom travelled to Normandy to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. EF and the JBC also co-organized a professional learning program for Canadian educators in Belgium and France. EF looks forward to continuing this incredible partnership in 2025!

Le Centre partenaire de La Semaine Acadienne
Emily Goard et Claire Hickey, étudiantes diplômées de l’école secondaire Garth Webb, lauréates des bourses de l’association du Centre Juno Beach au Canada.
1800 élèves canadiens en visite au Centre Juno Beach grâce à EF Voyages Culturels, notamment à l’occasion du 80è anniversaire du Jour J. Déploiement d’un programme d’apprentissage professionnel pour les éducateurs canadiens en Belgique et en France, coordonné par le CJB et EF, dont le partenariat se poursuivra en 2025 !
D-Day Veteran Jim Parks celebrated his 100th birthday surrounded by friends and family. We mounted an exhibit in the Maison de la Forêt Tourism Office about the Canadian Forestry Corps in the Second World War. We released a three-part series on our podcast with Canadian authors Tim Cook, Ted Barris and Nalah Ayed.

Célébration du 100è anniversaire de Jim Parks, vétéran du Jour J, entouré de ses amis et de sa famille.
Présentation d’une exposition à la Maison de la Forêt de Cerisy, sur le Corps forestier canadien pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale.
Parution du second rapport RSE (responsabilité sociétale des entreprises) du Centre Juno Beach.
Un podcast en trois parties sur notre site web publié avec les auteurs canadiens Tim Cook, Ted Barris et Nalah Ayed.
Halloween was celebrated ‘Canadian style’ at the Juno Beach Centre. Over 100 children were on hand to find the precious treasure hidden in Juno Park.

L’Halloween célébré « à la canadienne » au Centre Juno Beach. Plus d’une centaine d’enfants mobilisés pour retrouver le précieux trésor caché sur le Parc Juno.
On November 11, the Juno Beach Centre organized its annual Canadian Remembrance Day ceremony on the Garth Webb esplanade.

Le 11 novembre, cérémonie canadienne annuelle du Jour du Souvenir sur l’esplanade Garth Webb.
L’historien Emmanuel Thiébot au Centre Juno Beach dans le cadre d’un cycle de conférences annuel.
The team is still hard at work putting on events for the whole family right up until the holidays. We brought our museum boutique to several local Christmas markets.

Préparation d’événements pour les familles pendant les fêtes de fin d’année.
Présence du Centre Juno Beach sur divers marchés de Noël de proximité.
In 2024 we said farewell to Veterans Peter Chance, Roly Armitage and Bill Cameron. Our Legacy of Honour teams had the privelege of capturing their stories on video.

En 2024, Peter Chance, Roly Armitage et Bill Cameron nous ont quittés. L’équipe de l’Honneur en héritage a eu le privilège d’immortaliser leurs histoires en vidéo.
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You are receiving this e-mail because you subscribed on our website, a sign-up form, or through an event. Thank you for your interest in the Juno Beach Centre! Vous recevez cet e-mail parce que vous vous êtes inscrit sur notre site Web, un formulaire d’inscription ou via un événement. Merci de votre intérêt pour le Centre Juno Beach!
Centre Juno Beach:
Voie des Français Libres, BP 104
14470 Courseulles-sur-Mer, France
Office in Canada:
Unit 44 – 760 Brant Street
Burlington, Ontario
L7R 4B7