As the executive director of Wreaths Across America, I am often asked what else we do besides place veterans’ wreaths during the holidays. This is a question that provides me the opportunity to share perhaps the most important part of the Wreaths Across America mission: TEACH.
I’m reminded of a quote from the Talmud, “When you teach your son, you teach your son’s son.”
Throughout the year, we encourage activities and share information and content that highlights the courage and character of our veterans, active duty military and their families. We encourage outreach that establishes a personal connection with those who have secured and guarded our freedom. To the credit of the many volunteer Location Coordinators and Sponsorship Groups, they are the ambassadors sharing these values represented in the mission statement.
In the coming weeks we will be announcing new (and renewed) partnerships that will offer more opportunity to TEACH about the men and women who served during the Vietnam War as well as programs focusing on integrity, patriotism, courage and sacrifice.
Our 2021 theme challenges us to ‘Live up to their Legacy.’ It is the daily walk of patriotism that we promote, with your help, a constant reminder of bravery and sacrifice that is their legacy. Their personal stories are the cornerstone to build a love of country and appreciation for the cost of freedom for generations to come.
Please join us as we take on the opportunity this year to remember our heroes and the responsibility to teach our sons and daughters.
We’re excited to announce this year’s WAA virtual race program, which is the result of an expanded partnership with event-management and timing company CompetitorME!
The variety of options for participants provides an opportunity to build community awareness and understanding of WAA’s yearlong mission to Remember, Honor, Teach, while helping staying healthy and raising funds on the local level to support Participating Locations and Sponsorship Groups in your community!
Escort to Arlington Challenge: This 737-mile virtual course starts in Columbia Falls, Maine, where WAA is headquartered and travels down the East Coast to Arlington, Virginia, just as the annual escort to Arlington does each December.
Running for Wreaths (5K & 10K) Virtual Races –May andSeptember: Participants have the flexibility to run/walk/ruck/bike on the course of their choosing while raising funds to sponsor veterans’ wreaths for Participating Locations or Sponsorship Groups they support.
Stem to Stone Remembrance Run (in-person in Maine, with virtual option): 2021 will be the 3rd year this race is hosted on the tip lands in Maine where balsam is grown and harvested each year to make the veterans’ wreaths placed on the headstones of our nation’s heroes.
$15 Million*
In 2007, Wreaths Across America expanded its annual wreath placement event to enable groups and organizations to support Arlington National Cemetery and other local, participating cemeteries across the country. The Group Sponsorship Program was established to benefit other like-minded charities, community programs, and civic groups through the sale of wreath sponsorships.
We invite your group or organization to help us remember and honor our American heroes and teach the next generation, through raising sponsorships for wreaths to place on veteran graves this December 18th, 2021. As a Wreaths Across America Group Sponsorship partner, your organization can receive $5-of-each-$15 wreath sponsorship to support your important work, while supporting our mission as well.
*The total amount of fundraising dollars Wreaths Across America has given back to other groups and nonprofits through the Group Sponsorship Program since its start.
Mission Matters: Every Wednesday you can tune in to Wreaths Radio for Mission Matters, a half-hour broadcast hosted by Wreaths Across America's Executive Director Karen Worcester. Karen talks with Gold Star families, veterans, and others impacted by the mission to remember, honor, and teach.
You can catch Mission Matters Wednesdays at 10:00 AM and again at 7:00 PM EST. You can listen online at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/radio or on a free smartphone app like TuneIn or Simple Radio.
Wreaths Radio Roundtables: Wreaths Radio is a voice for America's veterans and those who support them. Join us Thursday evening, March 25, 2021 at 7 PM EST for the Wreaths Radio Roundtable discussion on veterans health focusing on resiliency, purpose and success.
The discussions will be introduced and wrapped up by Wreaths Radio's Morning Show Host Michael W. Hale. The guest panelists will be interviewed by U.S. Army Capt. (ret.) Joe Reagan and Wreaths Across America's Executive Director, Karen Worcester. Guest panelists for the March 25th broadcast include Maj. Gen. Peter Aylward with the Vietnam War Commemoration and U.S. Marine (ret.) Edward McEvoy, the National Outreach Program Specialist for the VA.