So often in my position as Executive Director for Wreaths Across America, I am humbled by the dedication and thoughtfulness of our volunteers.

This week, I had the privilege of spending time with a group of managers from one of our large corporate sponsors. Some of them spoke about their involvement on the local level with such excitement and commitment for the mission that I found myself moved to tears.

They spoke of how their communities had come together to not only remember the fallen but to involve kids and teach them about local heroes. From a company perspective they shared how participation in a wreath ceremony leads to increased civic engagement, volunteerism and community involvement.

As I listened and watched them each raise their hand to tell their story of how they have incorporated the WAA mission in their daily lives, I kept thinking, these are wonderful people. I shouldn’t be surprised because my takeaway from almost any interaction in my workday is just that. For almost every story that is shared about a loved one remembered, there is a dedicated group or individual who is committed not only to that memory but to teaching our children about love, courage, commitment, and responsibility. These are attributes that our military embodies and as citizens ones we should emulate.

So, as it often is the case, this group inspired me to want to do more. All over the country, this year in 4,000+ participating locations, people who understand that our future, and our children’s future, depends on instilling a love of country, and freedom in the next generation. We do that as we tell the stories, place the wreaths and say the names, but even more importantly, we demonstrate good citizenship, kindness and collaboration for the greater good.

The kids are watching, and our WAA volunteers and community partners are setting a great example.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” — Margaret Mead

Remember – Honor – Teach

With gratitude,

Karen Worcester

Executive Director

The Countdown to National Wreaths Across America Day is On! 

Your $17 sponsorship supports our year-long programs, programs within your community and places a wreath for an American Hero. You can sponsor in memory of or in honor of a loved one, and there are many ways to volunteer this season. Looking to get involved this Wreaths Across America Day? You can find a location to participate at by clicking on the button below.

Wreaths Across America Radio: Listen Live

Hispanic Heritage Month Lesson Plans

Wreaths Across America is excited to share Hispanic Heritage Month lesson plans! In 1968, President Lyndon Johnson established Hispanic Heritage Week to honor and celebrate the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. Twenty years later, President Ronald Reagan expanded it to a month. We hope you will join us as we Celebre el Mes de la Herencia Hispana (Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month).

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Remember your heroes with a Patriot Pair!

Your sponsorship ensures a veteran’s wreath is placed in honor of an American hero this December. A second purchased wreath will be sent to the address of your choice.

Dear Michael Barbour,

Every day at Wreaths Across America, we work to honor the service and sacrifice of our military. We are diligent in sharing stories of their lives to help make a personal connection for those of us who enjoy our freedom at their expense.

Early on in my time as Executive Director I became acutely aware of the challenges not only of the men and women who wear the uniform, but of their families. We all understand that they take an oath to protect our freedom and way of life and stand at the ready, but they also resolve that they and their families will make many sacrifices along the way.

I remember being approached after a speaking engagement by a young couple who wanted me to know that they had attended a ceremony that year in their community. We talked a while and they shared that he was about to be deployed and they would be relocating. They would be moving away from the helping hands of a grandmother, which would be difficult. They counted on her since their little boy had a serious illness. They added that they were certain the military community would be supportive. I relayed my concern for them to my daughter, a military spouse, whose response was, “It’s what we do.” Truer words were never spoken but they beg the question, “What can we do?”

For WAA this awareness of the “home front needs” of Veterans, active-duty service members, and their families has been touch stone in developing ways to work with like-minded organizations who have resources and skills to provide assistance, support and relief.

May has been designated as Military Appreciation Month. And although every month should afford them appreciation, this gesture does encourage everyone to reflect on the enormity of their sacrifices. That includes the daily sacrifice of not being with their loved ones. I read a quote once about the soldier who, although he would do it again, said while in service he missed his babies first steps and his mother’s dying breath.

So back to the question, “what can we do?”

We can embrace the military families and veterans in our communities and see that they receive the support they need. These men and women throughout history have been guardians and protectors of our Country.  We can be the caretakers of this liberty by continuing to “find a way to serve” and show the next generation the real cost of Freedom.

Remember – Honor – Teach

With gratitude,

Karen Worcester

Executive Director

Upcoming Events with Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America is excited to share that we will be participating in several impactful and historic events this May in Washington, D.C. – and all are open to the public!

May 11 – 13, the WAA Mobile Education Exhibit will be set up as part of Camp Legacy* – located on the JFK Hockey Fields/West Potomac Park – as part of The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration “Welcome Home!” event on the National Mall. This three-day public event will include formal ceremonies, daily interactive exhibits and entertainment, a dedicated area for Veterans’ Services, and more!

Wreaths Across America Radio will be broadcasting LIVE from the Mobile Education Exhibit throughout the entire event! And we want to hear from you and share your story with our listeners who are unable to be there in person. Please email us here to let us know if you plan to attend so we can schedule time to connect with you in person!

Also happening on Thursday, May 11, 2023, from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm ET, at Thomas Jefferson Building – LJ 119. Wreaths Across America Radio has been invited to broadcast LIVE from the Library of Congress for their important event “Live! at the Library: The War and Peace of Tim O’Brien.” This is a free event, open to the public, however you must register for a ticket to attend. We hope to see you there!

Wreaths Radio: Live at the New York State Gold Star Mothers Convention

Tune in for coverage Friday, April 27th and Saturday, April 28th, starting at noon on both days. Wreaths Radio will be talking to Gold Star Mothers, partner organizations, and Veterans for this exclusive coverage on Wreaths Across America Radio. Listen live on the iHeartRadio, Audacy, TuneIn App, or on our website by clicking on the button below.

Available Now: Memorial Day Lesson Plans

The Wreaths Across America TEACH curriculum offers free Memorial Day Lesson Plans where you can learn the history of “Decoration Day” and why the name was changed. How did the poppy become the colorful symbol associated with Memorial Day? It’s all included in our standards-based lesson plans. Check them out by clicking on the button below.

Stem To Stone Races

You’re invited to Wreaths Across America’s Annual Stem to Stone Races on Saturday, July 29, 2023.

Join us in Columbia Falls, Maine, where the mission of Wreaths Across America will be on display through the 5K Run/Walk/Ruck and 10K Run, or virtually from your own course at home!

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Complete your very own scene of wreaths with our new 250 piece WAA Puzzle.

Dear Michael Barbour,

Over the last several weeks, I’ve had the distinct honor of speaking with some truly inspiring individuals. Most recently, on National Medal of Honor Day – this past Saturday, March 25 – we were guests at the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s Citizen Honors Awards held in Arlington, Virginia.

Click on the button below to read more about the Medal of Honor recipients and listen to my interview with Tom Hudner III, son of Medal of Honor Recipient Tom Hudner Jr., and Jessica Knight, granddaughter of Naval Aviator Jesse Brown, who was killed in Korea. Their story was recently shared with the world as depicted in the movie “Devotion.”

Thank you for your continued support and participation in this important mission.

Remember – Honor – Teach

With gratitude,

Karen Worcester

Executive Director

The Missing Man Table

TOMORROW: National Vietnam War Veterans Day on Wreaths Radio

Shoulders of Heroes: A Poem

Wreaths Across America volunteer and writer, Virginia Huppe – based in Berthoud, Colorado – shares a moving poem about how we, too, can be a hero. Just like a soldier.

Click on the button below to read her original poem.

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Show your support of Wreaths Across America with our 2023 window clings!

Discounts are available for bulk purchases.

Dear Michael Barbour,

Each year, millions of Americans come together to REMEMBER the fallen, HONOR those that serve and their families, and TEACH the next generation about the value of freedom. We choose a new theme every year to help volunteers and supporters focus their messaging and outreach in their own communities. We’re excited to share that our theme for 2023 is “Serve and Succeed.”

Listen to my interview with the Wreaths Radio Morning Show to hear my personal thoughts on the 2023 theme.

Remember – Honor – Teach

With gratitude,

Karen Worcester

Executive Director

#ServeAndSucceed

This year, National Wreaths Across America Day will be held nationwide on Saturday, December 16, 2023.

How Can You Join the Mission in 2023?

Sponsor a Wreath: Honor veterans in your local community by sponsoring a live, balsam veteran’s wreath that will be placed on the grave of an American hero in 2023. It is never too early to support the mission!

Start a Sponsorship Group: As a pay back group, your civic, nonprofit, school or other group can help raise wreath sponsorships for a participating cemetery, and $5 of each wreath sponsorship made will be given back to you to support your program locally. Since 2007, WAA has given back more than $20 million (through January 2023), to other organizations through this program!

As a 3-for-2 group, a third wreath is placed for every two wreath sponsorships made. This is a great way to ensure as many veterans as possible are honored and remembered at the participating location your support!

Add a New Location: Coordinate a wreath-laying ceremony at a cemetery or memorial in your community. Determine if this location is already participating by checking our website. We have resources to help you plan your ceremony and ensure community involvement and success!

Volunteer: Volunteer to place wreaths on National Wreaths Across America Day – Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023 – at any of our 3,700+ participating locations. Involve your friends and family to honor our servicemen, women and families.

Access Wreaths Across America’s Curriculum Resources: Download our lesson plans and share them with educators in your community.

Listen to Wreaths Radio: Wreaths Across America Radio has a live morning show every weekday morning from 6am to 10am eastern, along with a variety of special programs that support the mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach.

Follow Wreaths Across America on Social Media:

You’re Invited!

Join us on VIRTUALLY on Friday, Feb. 3, at 1pm EST/10am PST, as we celebrate the lives and legacy of the Four Chaplains and all those lost on the USAT Dorchester 80 years ago.

Wreaths Across America will be LIVE from the Balsam Valley Chapel and tip lands where balsam is harvested to make veterans’ wreaths for Wreaths Across America.

The Last to Fall: The story of Black Quartermasters in World War II

The legacy of black quartermasters in World War II is a great example of this year’s theme, Serve & Succeed.

“Black quartermasters answered the call to serve, while in uniform they succeeded in quickly learning new skills, adapting to challenges, and committing themselves to mission success. ”

Read more from Joseph Reagan, the Director of Military and Veterans Outreach for Wreaths Across America, by clicking on the button below.

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