A holiday message from Director Hirota

A newsletter from a fellow Canadian organization in the Bay Area.


🌟 Season’s Greetings! 🌟

Dear Michael,

As we enter the final weeks of 2025, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support of the Canadian Studies Program. This has been an eventful year, marked by new challenges and opportunities in the field of Canadian Studies. Both Canada and the United States are in a period of transition, testing longstanding assumptions about both countries and the Canada-US relationship. Nevertheless, your continued support has enabled us to navigate a changing academic and political landscape with renewed purpose. It is always such a pleasure to engage with our friends, and see the enthusiasm and unique perspectives that you bring to our community.

If you appreciate the work we do, I ask you to consider making a year-end gift to the program. Your donation will help us sustain and expand our public programs, support talented young scholars in the field, and host crucial dialogue between Canadianists from across North America. Your support ensures that we remain a vibrant space for critical conversations, groundbreaking scholarly inquiry, and the celebration of Canada’s rich and diverse heritage.

Make a holiday gift to Canadian Studies! 🎁
Whether through financial contributions, attending our events, or simple encouragement, your continued engagement affirms the value of the work we do. On behalf of our entire team, I wish you a joyful and restful holiday season, and thank you once again for your generosity and belief in our mission.

 

With warmest wishes,

Dr. Hidetaka Hirota
Director, Canadian Studies Program
Thomas Garden Barnes Chair in Canadian Studies

Canadian Studies Program

213 Philosophy Hall #2308

Website | LinkedIn | Email | Donate

Canadian Studies Program | Univ. of California, Berkeley 213 Philosophy Hall #2308 | Berkeley, CA 94720 US

News and Events for the Bay Area Community

A newsletter from a fellow Canadian organization in the Bay Area.


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Remember Me: Wreaths Across America’s 2026 Theme

An item from the Wreaths Across America organization.


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

This year’s Wreaths Across America program reached an extraordinary milestone. Together, we served 5,598 participating locations, sponsored more than 3.1 million veterans’ wreaths, and mobilized millions of volunteers, nearly a third of them children, across all 50 states and abroad.

Read my full end of the year message here, which includes our 2026 theme announcement, and keep scrolling to learn more about our year-round mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach.

Sincerely,

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Karen Worcester
Wreaths Across America’s Executive Director

Save the Date

We invite you to save the date for National Wreaths Across America Day 2026 — Saturday, December 19, 2026.

We hope you will continue this meaningful tradition with us as we honor and remember our veterans together once again.

Future Dates

Wreath Matching Campaign

2025 Wreath Match!

Now through Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, HQ will match all veterans’ wreaths sponsored through a registered WAA Sponsorship Group for placement on next year’s National Wreaths Across America Day – Saturday, Dec. 19, 2026!

Find a Sponsorship Group to support at the link below, and let your donation dollars go further this holiday season! (Make sure to switch to “Search Groups”)

2025 Founder’s Award

This year, Wreaths Across America posthumously recognized veteran and longtime Iowa volunteer Patrick Palmersheim as the 2025 recipient of the Founder’s Award. Patrick, who served nine years in the United States Air Force with two tours in Vietnam, devoted his life to ensuring that every veteran is remembered and honored. His leadership was instrumental in creating the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, a lasting tribute that continues to serve thousands of Iowa’s heroes and their families.

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MISSION BBQ Heroes Cup Campaign

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We are excited to announce the national kick-off of the “American Heroes Cup” campaign at MISSION BBQ! Now through the end of 2025, for every American Heroes Cup purchased at any of MISSION BBQ’s 156 locations for $4.99, $2 will be donated to sponsor veterans’ wreaths for placement in December 2026. Learn more and find a location near you by clicking on the button below!

Relisten: Annual Escort to Arlington

Thank you to this year’s Escort to Arlington sponsors who allowed us to provide live coverage of the “Escort to Arlington.” You can listen to the recorded broadcast from each stop on our Soundcloud – just click the button below.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Title Sponsor: The Wilbert Group

Media Partner: Stars and Stripes

Associate Sponsor: JP Morgan Chase

Escort Sponsor 2025 UPDATED

Sponsor Spotlight

We are deeply grateful to Bennett for their continued support of the Wreaths Across America mission. Your commitment helps us ensure that every hero is remembered, honored, and taught to future generations.

Through your generosity and partnership, we are able to expand our reach, engage more communities, and carry forward the important work of placing wreaths on the headstones of our nation’s veterans. Thank you for standing with us and for sharing in this mission to remember, honor and teach.

Bennett-1

Featured Merchandise

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The 13-month 2026 calendar measures 9″ x 12″ and features beautiful pictures of cemeteries throughout the US. Special dates are included as well. Click the button to purchase the calendar and view other merch.

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

Joyeux Noël et bonne année 2026 🍁 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Note these seasons greetings from a veterans organization.


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En cette fin d’année, les équipes du Centre Juno Beach en Normandie et de l’Association du Centre Juno Beach Canada vous présentent leurs vœux les plus chaleureux. Nous vous souhaitons un joyeux Noël et une belle année 2026 !
As the year draws to a close, the teams at the Juno Beach Centre in Normandy and the Juno Beach Centre Association in Canada would like to extend their warmest wishes to you. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

2025 a été une année exceptionnelle 2025 was an exceptional year

 

A ce jour, le Centre Juno Beach a accueilli 109 000 visiteurs en 2025, établissant ainsi le record de fréquentation depuis l’ouverture du musée. Une réussite qui conforte le rôle joué par le Centre dans le paysage du tourisme de mémoire et témoigne du travail de mémoire et de l’engagement de ses équipes en France comme au Canada
The Juno Beach Centre welcomed 109,000 visitors in 2025, setting a new attendance record since the museum opened. This success confirms the Juno Beach Centre’s central place in the landscape of remembrance tourism and testifies to the work of remembrance and commitment of his teams in France as well as in Canada.

Le projet Concordia, une grande avancée
Project Concordia, a big step forward

L’année a été marquée par un tournant majeur : le lancement du projet Concordia, qui façonnera l’avenir du Centre Juno Beach à horizon 2028.
Au Canada, l’Association du Centre Juno Beach Canada mène plusieurs levées de fonds significatives, tandis qu’en France, les étapes préparatoires au chantier ont été engagées, dont l’étude d’impact environnemental. Plus d’informations sur le projet Concordia dans cette exposition en ligne.
The year was marked by a major turning point: the launch of Project Concordia, which will shape the future of the Juno Beach Centre by 2028.
In Canada, the Juno Beach Centre Canada Association is conducting several significant fundraising campaigns, while in France, the preparatory stages of the project have been begun, including an environmental impact study. More information about Concordia on this online exhibition.

Moments fort de l’année des deux côtés de l’Atlantique
Highlights of the year on both sides of the Atlantic

 

Le Centre Juno Beach est représenté des deux côtés de l’Atlantique :
En France, le musée accueille les visiteurs, propose des visites guidées des bunkers, anime les animations scolaires et rythme l’année avec une programmation annuelle sur la plage même où les soldats canadiens ont débarqué en 1944.
Au Canada, l’Association qui représente le Centre Juno Beacg soutient activement le musée : sensibilisation, mobilisation des communautés, levées de fonds et rayonnement au Canada.Retrouvez toutes les nouvelles en Normandie comme au Canada dans la rubrique dépêches du site web
The Juno Beach Centre is represented on both sides of the Atlantic:
In France, the Juno Beach Centre welcomes visitors, offers guided tours of the bunkers, organizes school activities, and hosts a year-round program of events on the very beach where Canadian soldiers landed in 1944.
In Canada, the Association that represents Juno Beach Centre actively supports the museum through community engagement, fundraising, exhibit research and development, and national outreach.Find all the news from Normandy and Canada in the news section of the website.
En Normandie

In Normandy
Cette année, le Centre Juno Beach a eu le plaisir d’accueillir de nombreuses personnalités et délégations :

Visites de ministres et représentants officiels : la Ministre des Anciens Combattants et la Ministre du Tourisme françaisle Ministre de la Sécurité publique du Nouveau-Brunswick,  le Ministre des Affaires acadiennes et de la Francophonie de la Nouvelle-Écosse,  la procureure générale et vice-première ministre de la Colombie-Britannique et le Préfet du Calvados.

Accueil de délégations françaises et canadiennes : l’Assemblée nationale du Québec, la Ville de Belle-Baie, le maire de Brighton ou encore une délégation régionale accompagnée d’un expert UNESCO (ICOMOS).

Rencontres avec des familles de vétérans et descendants de soldats, entre autres : les proches de Bill CameronLieutenant-Colonel DaltonWilliam H. DixonMajor-General Rodger et Paul-Émile Barette.

Groupes militaires et associations : le Black Watch ou la légion royale canadienne.

This year, the Juno Beach Centre had the pleasure of welcoming numerous dignitaries and delegations:

Visits from ministers and official representativesthe French Minister for Veterans Affairs and the French Minister of Tourismthe Minister of Public Safety of New Brunswickthe Minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie of Nova Scotiathe Attorney General and Deputy Premier of British Columbia, and the Prefect of Calvados.

Visits from French and Canadian delegations: the National Assembly of Quebec, the City of Belle-Baie, the Mayor of Brighton, as well as a regional delegation accompanied by an UNESCO (ICOMOS) expert.

Meetings with families of veterans and descendants of soldiers, among others: relatives of Bill CameronLieutenant-Colonel DaltonWilliam H. DixonMajor-General Rodger, and Paul-Émile Barette.

Military groups and associations: the Black Watch and the Royal Canadian Legion

Le Centre Juno Beach a organisé des cérémonies majeures :

The Juno Beach Centre hosted major ceremonies:

En parallèle de l’accueil des visiteurs, le Centre a proposé une riche programmation tout au long de l’année avec des conférences, projections, rencontres-signatures, ateliers culturels en anglais, concerts, animations thématiques comme Halloween, Noël, Vélo Days, la participation aux Journées du Patrimoine et à la Nuit des musées.
Alongside welcoming visitors, the Centre offered a rich programme throughout the year, including lectures, film screenings, book-signing events, cultural workshops in English, concerts, themed activities such as Halloween, Christmas, and Vélo Days, as well as participation in the European Heritage Days and Museum Night.
Au Canada
In Canada
Cette année, l’Association du Centre Juno Beach a renforcé ses actions de sensibilisation au Canada afin de valoriser le travail accompli par l’équipe en Normandie et de partager les avancées de la campagne de financement.

Il a vécu où vous vivez : en avril, 1 945 adresses à travers Canada ont reçu une carte postale unique révélant le nom et l’histoire d’une personne ayant rejoint l’armée canadienne et résident à cette même adresse au moment de son engagement.

Respecter la mémoire, protéger le
futur :
 le 6 juin, l’Association du Centre Juno Beach a organisé un événement commémorant le 81e anniversaire du Jour J à l’Institut militaire royal canadien de Toronto. Cette rencontre avait pour but de mettre en lumière le rôle essentiel de l’association au Canada et sa mission de préservation de la mémoire des contributions canadiennes à la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Cet événement a également servi d’appel à l’action pour faire vivre l’héritage de la démocratie, de la liberté et de la souveraineté canadienne.

Un grand merci à nos donateurs : L’Association du Centre Juno Beach a connu une année exceptionnelle en matière de collecte de fonds pour assurer l’avenir du Centre Juno Beach et soutenir les nombreux programmes existants en Normandie. 522 000 dollars ont été collectés auprès de donateurs du monde entier. Grâce au don jumelé de Canso Investment Counsel Ltd. et Lysander Funds Limited, ce montant a été doublé et a atteint près de 1,05 million de dollars.

This year, the Juno Beach Centre Association ramped up outreach activities in Canada to promote the incredible work done by the team in Normandy and to share in the exciting progress of the capital campaign.

He Lived Where You Live: In April, 1,945 individual addresses in Canada were mailed a unique postcard that shares the name and story of someone who joined the Canadian military who lived there at the time of his enlistment.

Honour the Past – Protect the Future: On June 6, the Juno Beach Centre Association hosted an event commemorating the 81st anniversary of D-Day at the Royal Canadian Military Institute in Toronto. Organized to unlock the potential of Canada’s Juno Beach Centre and its mission to preserve the memory of Canada’s Second World War contributions, the event served as a call to action to continue the legacy of democracy, liberty, freedom and Canadian sovereignty.

A big thank you to our donors: The Juno Beach Centre Association had a successful year fundraising for the future of the Juno Beach Centre and to support the many existing programs in Normandy. $522,000 were raised from donors across the world, which thanks to our matching gift from Canso Investment Counsel Ltd. and Lysander Funds Limited, became nearly $1.05 million.

Cap vers 2026
Route to 2026

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