Category Archives: Wreaths Across America

You’re Invited: Join Us for a Special Flag Waving Tuesday Ceremony 🇺🇸

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An item from the Wreaths Across America organization that may be of interest to members.

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“Every day is an opportunity.” That quote is attributed to several prominent people, perhaps because truer words were never spoken.

 

We see opportunity every day in meeting and listening to the stories of amazing people whose experiences and accomplishments galvanize our commitment to the yearlong mission of Wreaths Across America.

 

I am proud of the dedication and hard work exhibited by our volunteers, sponsors and staff.  I am equally proud of your understanding that we can use the knowledge we gain from those stories to support veterans, active duty and their families, and enlighten those who lives may not have been touched by a loved one who served.

 

I further believe that it is incumbent upon us to show our children through example that with freedom comes responsibility and in doing so we help to insure the future of liberty in America.

 

It is not in the simple act of laying a wreath and speaking a name that we make such a lasting impression on the next generation. It lies in the continued commitment from each of us to see “everyday as an opportunity” and continue to carry out our mission.

 

Remember. Honor. Teach.

Karen Worcester, Executive Director of Wreaths Across America
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“If American children are not taught the principles of freedom, America will not be free for very long.” – Michael Farris
 
A Special Flag Waving Tuesday

Every Tuesday morning, we wave the American flag to honor our nation’s heroes. On Tuesday, March 4th, from 10-11 am ET, we will host a special Flag Waving to honor and remember Freeport Flag Lady Joanne Miller, who passed away on February 22nd.

 

Join us in remembering Joanne and help us keep this tradition alive by waving your flag wherever you are! Submit your videos and photos by clicking on the button below.
Elaine G
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Remembering Flying Tiger Line Flight 739
Flying Tiger Line Photo

On Sunday, March 16, Wreaths Across America will pay tribute to the American heroes who selflessly sacrificed their lives aboard Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 (FTLF 739). Join the live broadcast of the ceremony on Facebook or listen on Wreaths Across America Radio.
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You’re Invited: TEACH Webinar
The first TEACH Webinar of 2025 will be held on Tuesday, March 4 at 4pm ET!
This webinar will be co-hosted by Cindy Tatum, Wreaths Across America Curriculum Developer and Gold Star Mother, and Kyra Bush, Vice President of Education Services for the Military Child Education Coalition.
Wreaths Across America TEACH Webinar 2025 Part I
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Visit the Mobile Education Exhibit in March
Mobile Education Exhibit MEE

In March, the Mobile Education Exhibit will visit several locations in North Carolina!
View Upcoming Stops
 

Share Your Story On Wreaths Radio
March 29th is Vietnam Veterans Day. If you are a Vietnam Veteran and want to share your story of service on Wreaths Across America Radio, please request an interview below!
Request An Interview
 

Featured Merchandise

Keep Moving Forward inspired this year’s mission, sharing the story of Joshua Byers—a young man whose life was cut short in service to his country. His words and actions exemplify the values we need in Americans today.

 

This powerful book offers inspiration, meaning, and direction for all who read it. Get the book plus a wreath sponsorship for $28.
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Buy Here
 
Sponsor Wreaths
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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

Keep Moving Forward

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A newsletter from the Wreaths Across America organization.

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Wreaths Across America Day 2024 is in the rear-view mirror, but hardly a day goes by without someone asking me if things have slowed down here at HQ. Most are surprised to hear that we have hit the ground running for 2025 and looking forward to advancing the year-round programs that further our mission.

This year’s theme, ‘Keep Moving Forward,’ is inspired by the last words of Army Capt. Joshua T. Byers and the stories of people who have faced great adversity and then used these life experiences to help others. This theme and their example are the corner stones of outreach for this year.
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Our robust Teach curriculum spear-headed by Gold Star Mother and retired teacher Cindy Tatum features lesson plans for grades Kindergarten through 12th and focuses on materials to stir patriotism in young minds.

 

WAA’s Mobile Education Exhibit (MEE) is a traveling classroom for young and old alike that goes coast to coast  stopping at schools and municipalities. Our MEE team, in conjunction with the Vietnam War 50th Commemoration, has pinned and welcomed home more than 6,000 of our nation’s Vietnam veterans.

 

Wreaths Across America Radio has established itself as the go-to place for veterans and their families to hear about services that are available to the veteran community. Home to over 75 veteran-centric programs Wreath Radio is a prime example of like-minded organizations working together for the greater good.

 

I encourage everyone to visit our website to read about these programs, as well as our upcoming events. For me, and hopefully others, Wreaths Across America is not about one day in December when we place wreaths and say names, but living the mission year-round. So, we never wind down!

 

Motivated by the sacrifices of so many and their passion for patriotism, we Keep Moving Forward and proudly carry out our mission every day.

 

Remember. Honor. Teach.

Karen Worcester, Executive Director of Wreaths Across America
 
Wreaths Across America Honors “The Four Chaplains”
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On Monday, Feb. 3rd, Wreaths Across America remembers the 82nd anniversary of the sinking of the U.S.A.T. Dorchester – Join this special event virtually!
 

Listen Live: Wreaths Radio
Mission Matters Radio

Wreaths Across America’s Executive Director Karen Worcester recently spoke with Bill Kaemmer, Executive Director of The Four Chaplains. In this interview, Bill shares the heroic actions of four military chaplains on the SS Dorchester on February 3rd, 1943. Click on the button below to listen, or listen to Wreaths Radio any time here.
 

Download Our Latest TEACH Curriculum

Did you know? Wreaths Across America shares free educational resources for learners of all ages!

 

From timely curriculum such as Black History Month Lesson Plans to evergreen resources like our Live with Purpose Action Plans, there’s something for everyone.
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Visit the Mobile Education Exhibit in February
Mobile Education Exhibit MEE

In February, the Mobile Education Exhibit will visit Arizona and New Mexico!

 

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

Featured Merchandise

Enjoy your tea or coffee in comfortable style with our 15 oz. Two-Tone Ceramic Mug with WAA logo on both sides!

 

Find eye-catching dynamic contrast on this two-tone ceramic mug with a textured, speckled bottom and a black glazed top.
Mug
 
 

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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LinkedIn
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Wreaths Across America, PO Box 249, Columbia Falls, ME 04623, United States, 877-385-9504

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!
Wreath Match 2-1
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Visit the Mobile Education Exhibit in January
Mobile Education Exhibit MEE

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.
View Upcoming Stops

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
Buy Here
Sponsor Wreaths

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:
Facebook
LinkedIn
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Instagram
TikTok
Wreaths Across America, PO Box 249, Columbia Falls, ME 04623, United States, 877-385-9504

Thank You For Moving The Mission Michael Barbour!

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An update from the Wreaths Across America organization.

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Hello Michael Barbour,

 

Thank you to all the professional drivers, owner-operators, carriers, and logistics partners, who stepped up this year to make National Wreaths Across America Day 2024 a HUGE success! Your support is why we were able to move the mission to a record 4,900+ participating locations this year.

 

Here are the load stats for how we made that happen:

  • 350+ carriers
  • 800+ loads of veterans’ wreaths
  • 3.1 million wreaths delivered

The WAA Transportation Team and all our volunteers across the country know how lucky we are to have the best of the best representing our industry through this important mission.

 

We wish you all a happy and restful holiday season and look forward to working with you again next year – National Wreaths Across America Day 2025 is Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025.

 

Remember – Honor – Teach

With gratitude,
WAA Transportation Team
 

Trucking Tuesdays

Listen to Trucking Tributes every Trucking Tuesday on Wreaths Across America Radio. If you have a story you’d like to share, click on the button below to schedule an interview.
Share Your Story
 

Share Your Photos from Wreaths Across America Day
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We would love to see your pictures from the road! Please submit content for sharing on our Memory Fox Campaign page by clicking on the button below.
Share Your Photos Here
 

Stay in the Know

The Moving the Mission Facebook Group is a space for supporters of Wreaths Across America working in the transportation industry to connect with and learn from one another. Members will share their stories of support, learn more about Wreaths Across America, including volunteer opportunities, and network with other industry professionals.
Join the Group
Wreaths Across America, PO Box 249, Columbia Falls, ME 04623, United States, 877-385-9504

A message from Prince Jordan concerning CAPNSF – San Francisco National Cemetery at the Presidio of San Francisco

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A message from the event this past weekend.

Wreaths Across America

Thank You
Dear Michael Barbour:

Thank you for Sponsoring Wreaths and/or Volunteering for National Wreaths Across America Day! CAPNSF – San Francisco National Cemetery at the Presidio of San Francisco, and I am writing with more information about our ceremony scheduled for December 13, 2025.

***THIS IS AN AUTOMATED MESSAGE***

Heartfelt Thanks and Exciting Transition at Wreaths Across America San Francisco

Dear Participants and Sponsors,
I hope this message finds you well and filled with the joy of the holiday season. I am writing to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you who braved the extreme elements of the weather to join us for this year’s Wreaths Across America event at the San Francisco National Cemetery last Saturday. Your participation and support are the lifeblood of this meaningful event, ensuring that we continue to honor our fallen servicemen and women with the reverence they deserve.
A special thank you extends to our dedicated sponsors and participants whose commitment remained unwavering in spite of the challenging weather. Your presence under such extraordinary conditions was both inspiring and deeply appreciated.
As I share this message, it comes with mixed emotions as I announce my departure from my role as Event Director and Location Coordinator for Wreaths Across America San Francisco. After much reflection, I have decided to direct my efforts towards broader initiatives supporting veterans and military families. Serving in this role has been an incredible journey, and I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished together. When I assumed this position, my vision was to enhance our community’s support for veterans and their families while preserving the cherished tradition of remembrance. I am thrilled to report that our efforts have led to a significant increase in participation, with over 430+ community members attending this year—double the number from three years ago!
Looking ahead, I am delighted to introduce Hanley Chan, who will step into the role of Event Director & Location Coordinator from 2025 onward. For any inquiries about future events and next year’s ceremony, please feel free to reach out to Hanley at Hanleychan@icloud.com. His collaboration with the American Legion Salesian Post 599 promises to continue our tradition of honoring our heroes. Please join Hanley along with the other volunteers on January 4th 2025 at San Francisco National Cemetery at 11:00 AM for the Wreath Clean Up Day.
Though I am stepping down, my dedication to supporting veterans and military families endures. For any other matters outside of Wreaths Across America, I welcome you to contact me at Pkmbenz@gmail.com.
Thank you once again for your unwavering support and for making this year’s event a resounding success. I wish you all a safe and joyous holiday season, and may 2025 bring you prosperity, success, and happiness.