Mare Island Naval Cemetery | Royal Canadian Legion, US Branch #25

Posted on behalf of Comrade Charles Martin.

Today I had the pleasure to join Past President, Fred Rutledge at a very nice ceremony by Wreaths Across America held at the Mare Island Naval Cemetery. There was a very good crowd for such a service and all the branches of the Armed Forces were represented. Commander Bryan Dearolf, USN, gave a very thoughtful key speech. After the ceremony, those in attendance quickly laid about 900 wreaths.

This cemetery is the oldest naval cemetery on the west coast, with graves dating back to the 1850’s. Of note is the grave of the daughter of Francis Scott Key and three Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. Fred has noted in past Legion meetings the recent efforts to clean up this cemetery over the past couple of years. It certainly is worth a visit and worthy of everyone’s continued support.

Note that the event was also covered by the local media:

Wreaths placed on every tombstone at Mare Island Cemetery from the Vallejo Times Herald
Vallejo remembers its own during Wreaths Across America gathering from the Daily Republic

An update from the Wreaths Across America organization. Please note that US Branch #25 of the Royal Canadian Legion will be participating in the ceremony at the Mare Island Naval Cemetery in Vallejo. For more information, please visit:

https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/163858/Overview/?relatedId=0

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Hi there,

The excitement here in Maine and across the country is palpable! It’s almost National Wreaths Across America Day! The professional drivers are rolling in with their beautifully wrapped trucks and patriotism to pick up their truckloads of respect, and thousands of sponsored veterans’ wreaths are headed to their final resting place at one of our 2,525 participating locations.

These last few days, all our amazing volunteers across the country are ‘grabbing another gear’ to get the job done! We hope you will join us however you are able to this year, whether you’ve sponsored a wreath, helped plan an event, registered to volunteer to place wreaths, or helped share our stories in some way, YOU all play a part in fulfilling the mission!

Please follow us on our virtual escort this week and if you are able to help us reach our goal at Arlington, know that every $15 will place a live balsam veteran’s wreath!

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart – your support of this mission is what makes this all possible.

Remember, Honor, Teach!

Karen Worcester

Volunteer Executive Director

Wreaths Across America

MATCHING CHALLENGE FOR ARLINGTON

Wreaths Across America is proud to announce that Jersey Mike’s Subs has once again stepped up help WAA reach its goal of placing a live balsam veteran’s wreath on every headstone at Arlington National Cemetery. Wreath sponsorships placed through Monday, Dec. 14, 2020 at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/JerseyMikes or through our Facebook fundraiser here will be matched by the company, up to $300,000!

Sponsor Now

Follow the 2020 Virtual Convoy!

Our 2020 Convoy kicks off on Tuesday December 15th and we want you along for the ride! In anticipation of the necessary changes being made throughout the country for health and safety, including at Arlington National Cemetery, Wreaths Across America has made some necessary modifications to its annual escort of wreaths to Arlington, however the public IS INVITED to join along the roadside with signs, flags and cheers to welcome the escort as it arrives to new communities. Wreaths Across America Radio will also be streaming LIVE content on local FM radio dials for drive-in style broadcast in each new town we roll into! Find the full schedule here.

You’ll also be able to join us virtually on social media! In partnership with PenFed Credit Union’s digital media content team, PenFed Digital, this year’s escort will also be shared virtually for the nation to join along from the safety of their own homes. PenFed Digital and WAA are overcoming pandemic-related challenges to ensure fallen heroes are honored safely. During the escort and leading up to its departure, viewers can follow along, learning about the mission and hearing stories from the people it impacts on Wreaths Across America’s Facebook and PenFed’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn pages. From the professional truck drivers hauling this precious cargo to the hard-working, dedicated volunteers receiving them on the other side of the country, we are going to share their journeys too!

Tune In To Win!

Wreaths Across America Radio will be sharing live updates from the road and giving away prizes all week! Simply share a picture of the escort or a picture from a headstone in your cemetery or of a veteran you honor on the Wreaths Radio Facebook page. You could win one of our fabulous “swag bags” and qualify for our grand-prize drawing Friday night during our live FB feed from D.C.

Download our radio app now, or listen online and stay connected for more details! www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/radio

Featured Merchandise

Limited Edition 2020 Theme Long Sleeve T-Shirts! Supporting our heroes is one thing that should never go out of style, just like these classic t-shirts featuring the Wreaths Across America 2020 THEMED logo and sleeve print. Add one to your collection and show your support for our mission to “Remember, Honor, Teach.”