Our Mission: to Remember - Honor - and Teach
Remember the fallen; Honor those who serve; Teach our children the value of freedom.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free."
Ronald Reagan 40th United States President (1911 - 2004) The Wreaths Across America story began over 20 years ago when Worcester Wreath Company (a for-profit commercial business from Harrington, Maine) began a tradition of placing wreaths on the headstones of our Nation's fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery during the holidays. Over that period of time, Worcester Wreath has donated 90,000 wreaths which were placed by volunteers in a wreath-laying ceremony each December. But as word spread, the mission to Remember; Honor; and Teach about the sacrifices made by our veterans has captured the hearts and minds of many communities across the Country. December 10th 2011~ National Wreaths Across America event to honor veterans at Arlington National Cemetery, All 50 States and Puerto Rico. and at the locations listed below in Illinois.
We invite you to join us for the Statehouse wreath ceremony to be held 11:00AM on December 7, 2011 at the DAV during the Pearl Harbor Day ceremony – Springfield, IL. This statehouse wreath symbolizes the departure of the wreaths from Harrington, MA on their trek to Arlington.
Contact Information Location Leader: Chaplain Steve Holden, United States Emergency Chaplains Corps Contact Number: (217) 963-2772
We invite you to join us in 2011 at any of the wreath-laying ceremonies to be held nation-wide concurrently on Saturday, December 10th, 2011 at 12:00 local (noon EST silmultaneously with Arlington NC).
Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery - Elwood, IL Contact Information Lead Squadron or Group: Operation Care Package (www.operationcarepackages.org) Location Leader: Debbie Smothers Contact Number: 815-723-6960
Alton National Cemetery - Alton, IL Contact Information Lead Squadron or Group: N/A Location Leader: Margaret Hopkins Contact Number: 618-474-2005
Camp Butler National Cemetery - Springfield, IL Contact Information Lead Squadron or Group: American Legion Riders Post 32 Location Leader: David McKnelly Contact Number: 217-415-6464
Danville National Cemetery - Danville, IL Contact Information Lead Squadron or Group: Patriot Guard Riders - Illinois Location Leader: Dave Switzer Contact Number: 217-497-6682
Mount Hope & Funks Grove & etc McLean Contact Information Lead Squadron or Group: DAV #60- Illinois Location Leader: Cleo Jordan Contact Number: 309-874-2717
Glendale Cemetery - Washington, IL Contact Information Lead Squadron or Group: Location Leader: Carol K Moss Contact Number: 309-444-9076
Korean/Vietnam Memorial - Bloomington, IL Contact Information Lead Squadron or Group: State Farm Military Affinity Group Location Leader: Larry Wilder Contact Number: 309-766-6954
Middle East Conflicts Memorial Wall - Marseilles, IL Contact Information Lead Squadron or Group: Middle East Conflicts Memorial Wall & Marine Families Support Group Location Leader: Craig Herkes Contact Number: 815-462-5932
Mound City National Cemetery - Mound City, IL Contact Information Lead Squadron or Group: Patriot Guard Riders - Illinois Location Leader: Brian Samuel Contact Number: 618-559-2849
Military Memorial Tuscola- IL Contact Information Lead Squadron or Group: 328th Composite Sq based out of Mattoon Volunteer Location Leader: Tammy Brandt Telephone: 217-637-0244
Pulaski Park - LaSalle, IL Contact Information Lead Squadron or Group: Location Leader: Toni Lucas Contact Number: 270-703-9799
Rock Island National Cemetery - Rock Island Contact Information Lead Squadron or Group: Quad City Composite Squadron CAP Location Leader: Lt. Col. Thomas Nielsen Contact Number: 309-797-1588
Springdale Cemetery Peoria, IL Contact Information Lead Squadron or Group: Location Leader: Jon Austin Contact Number: 309-681-1400
Sunset Cemetery at Veterans Home - Quincy, IL Contact Information Lead Squadron or Group: Amvets Post 104 Location Leader: Teresa Pickle Contact Number: 217 222 9571
Quincy National Cemetery - Quincy, IL Contact Information Lead Squadron or Group: Amvets Post 104 Location Leader: Teresa Pickle Contact Number: 217 222 9571
Wreaths Across America was formed as a non-profit organization (501-C3 status - EIN 20-8362270) in 2007, in direct response to the many letters and requests from supporters all around the Country, about how they too could get involved and bring the Arlington Wreath Project experience to their local communities. If you would like to help sponsor one or more wreaths to be laid at one of the over 200 state and national cemeteries all across the Country, please sponsor a wreath at http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/act-now/ What started over 20 years ago, as one's man's dream to honor Veterans with Maine wreaths for the holidays, has become an annual event cherished by many. Humbled with a new understanding about the impact the Arlington Wreath Project has made, not only in honoring the dead, but recognizing the sacrifices of the living, Morrill Worcester - President of Worcester Wreath Company committed himself to doing more, by reaching out across the country. Morrill Worcester - President of Worcester Wreath Company explains his desire to develop the Wreaths Across America project: "Our goal is to expand the recognition of those who serve our country, both past, present, and future, as well as their families who deserve our support. Without the sacrifices of our veterans, there would be no opportunity to enjoy the freedoms, the life we live today."
WAA Press Release
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