Wreaths Across America - Fayetteville, NC

[Stras]

For those of you looking for something to do on 12 Dec 09, the Patriot Guard Riders ask you to join us at these two events and help us honor our fallen military servicemen and women. The ceremonies start at 1200 at both cemeteries. Please be at the cemeteries by 1130.

Wreaths Across America started several years ago at Arlington National Cemetery, and has since spread across the 50 states. http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/

www.patriotguard.org

Wreaths Across America, TWO Fayetteville sites


Sandhills State Cemetery
Contact: Erin "USNSIS" 714-488-0735
The WAA ceremony at Sandhills State Veterans Ceremony will begin at noon. I (Erin) will be there NLT 1130 hours. I would love any help possible, since the original organizer had to drop out. I'm going to need people (ideally a member from each branch) to present the wreaths/place them on the stands, and I need to see what I can't do about securing a color guard team, as they've done in the past. We will have our moment of silence at noon and present our wreaths.
The address for the cemetery is 400 Murchison Road, Spring Lake, NC 28390.


-Ft. Bragg
Contact: Dutch McComber
The WAA ceremony on FT Bragg will commence @ 1200 hrs. I (Dutch) will be in place NLT 1130 hrs. Anyone who can join me there is more than welcome, the ceremony will be held at the main entrance to the cemetery which is on the East side of Bragg Blvd and can be accessed via Randolph St. After turning onto Randolph, follow the road around to the right, you can't miss us.

If you have any questions, please contact me via this website.

[Stras]

Bump.

We need your help supporting these two events.

[MackallResident]

Sent it to all of my friends back in the Sandhills area. Wish i could go, but I'll be in DC

[armymom1228]

Bump.

We need your help supporting these two events.

Stras, can't make it. I will be at Florida National Cemetary, Bushnell, FL doing our wreaths there. It is where my dad is buried. I have been quite remiss. I have been home a whole month and I have not gone up to 'visi t' him.

Thank you so very, very much for reminding me of my duty.
AM

[Richard]

I'll be helping the Patriot Guard Riders at the DFW National Cemetery event and our SFA Chapter is hosting its annual Christmas party for children of deployed servicemembers whose families are in financial hardship.

I hope your event goes well.

Richard

[Pete]

Me & Short Round will be at Sandhills State Cemetery at 11:30 Sat.

Her only request is that she be able to put the Wreath on her Grandfather's grave. After that she says she'll work like a dog.

[AngelsSix]

If you don't mind an AF chick....I'll head over that way, I have no plans for Sat.....

[Pete]

If you don't mind an AF chick....I'll head over that way, I have no plans for Sat.....

Short Round's Grandfather was retired AF. He loved a crowd.

[Stras]

My thanks to all who will be supporting these events across the country tomorrow.

The PGR is also providing an escort for some wounded warriors who have been invited to go hunting near Ft Bragg. Nothing like a leisurely ride in balmy 39 degree weather to show support for our troops..

[armymom1228]

My thanks to all who will be supporting these events across the country tomorrow.

No thanks needed. It is the least we can do for those who have kept us free and safe as a nation.


Nothing like a leisurely ride in balmy 39 degree weather to show support for our troops..

Aw....you love it...high Sat at Bragg is supposed to be 50 though. Sure you can
handle those balmy temps? :D

Please, Sir, Thank those warriors from this Army Mom, for keeping the wind I sail in free!
AM

[Pete]

Had a good time. Good group from the PGRs, the SAR Rep., Gold Star Moms, LTG Mulholland, MG C. from SWC and of course the AF Bugler.

K. got to meet Short Round and my better half.

[armymom1228]

Had a good time. Good group from the PGRs, the SAR Rep., Gold Star Moms, LTG Mulholland, MG C. from SWC and of course the AF Bugler.

K. got to meet Short Round and my better half.

I didn't get to go. :o I had to stay here to meet the landlord. plumbing issues and all that.

My dtr, and her family went in my stead. She saw her grandfathers grave for the first time since he was buried. She had a bit of a hard time seeing his name on that plaque. The grandkids had a great time. She jumped in at the last moment for me.

An embarassed AM

[armymom1228]

Thought this worth sharing.

December 18th, 2009

Happy Holidays to all;

This will be a short newsletter, but I wanted to recap just some of the highlights from this amazing last couple of weeks where wreath-laying events were hosted at 405 participating locations!

First, let me share with you some numbers just to put things in perspective:

405 participating locations (including the 24 national cemeteries on foreign soil);
161,000 total wreaths placed to honor our servicemen and women;
Over 100,000 (current best estimate) volunteers participated in the wreath-laying events;
Over 7,500 (estimated) in attendance at Arlington National Cemetery;
Approximately 15,000 in attendance at Houston National Cemetery - the single largest wreath-laying event nationwide.


As amazing as those numbers are, each wreath placed honors all veterans - and that has never been more true than in seeing all the stories, comments, and photos that continue to pour in to the website!


Gold Star Mothers (and 1 Father) Travel From Maine to Arlington With Escort

One highlight of the 2009 events was the participation of the national leadership team of the American Gold Star Mothers, who traveled with the wreaths all the way from Maine to Arlington National Cemetery.

Every wreath honors all veterans, but to have the Gold Star families with the escort certainly put things in perspective, as we remember those who made the "last measure of their devotion" to preserve our freedoms.

In the words of National President of the AGSM, Ruth Stonesipher, "It surely did put the Gold Star families' doubt that our son's and daughters will be forgotten aside. How could we ever think that with so many there to pay their respects."

New Events in 2009
In 2009, Wreaths Across America also added several new events in its effort to Remember, Honor, & Teach. A wreath-laying ceremony was conducted on Saturday December 5th on the Ferry Point Bridge between the United States and Canada, as way of honoring our Canadian Allies - as well as Canadian citizens who have served in the United States Armed Services.

Also added in 2009, over 3,000 wreaths were placed in wreath-laying ceremonies at Battery Park in NYC, The Pentagon, and Shanksville, PA - to honor the memory of the victims of 9/11 - the very first casualties of the War On Terror.


And Lastly, A Big Thanks And Pat On The Back To All Our Volunteers
On behalf of Wreaths Across America, we would like to say a big thanks to all the volunteers all around the Country who worked so hard to make the wreath-laying events a special part of the holiday season.

We have the greatest group of Location Leaders who make things happen in their community. We have escorts for the wreaths from the Patriot Guard Riders and Law Enforcement Officers. Civil Air Patrol was involved in all 50 states - as well as countless fundraising groups, veteran organizations, businesses and individuals who all took their time, amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday season - to express their appreciation.

But most importantly, we thank our veterans - those with us and those we've lost. If you've ever had any doubt about whether people will remember your service and sacrifice - just google Wreaths Across America and you will see thousands of photos, videos, and blogs about what you mean to us.
Thank you all and God Bless.

Tobin Slaven
Wreaths Across America
Media & Communications

[AngelsSix]

I thought that the ceremony, despite the cold, was really very nice. The small group gave an intimate feel to it which was pretty cool in my book. I have never met any of the Patriot Guard folks before that event and I can tell you they are a stand up bunch of guys and gals!! I was impressed with the fact that the General was there...I never was that close to one before and I felt a little weird. Thanks for the invite, it was a great experience!!:lifter

[WhiskeyBoarder]

BUMP, for tomorrow's event:

All:

I apologize for the late notification, as this event is scheduled to occur tomorrow. However, I only recently received notice myself and have been busy with work and training since. That being said, I plan to attend tomorrow morning.

I received an email regarding this event from an organization that I am a member, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. Here is the information that they passed to me (additional information may be on the IAVA website, or at he links provided previously in this thread. Alternatively, you may contact me and I can push any questions higher):

What: Wreaths Across America at Arlington National Cemetery

When: Sat. Dec. 11, 2010 8:30am

Where: Arlington National Cemetery, at the intersection of Lincoln and Mitchell Drives within the cemetery

IAVA members will meet and join other volunteers for a welcome briefing at 8:30am at the intersection of Lincoln and Mitchell Drives within the cemetery, and wreath placement will begin in section 60 at 9:15am.

This events is free and open to the public.

[AngelsSix]

I missed it this year....very depressed about that. But my neighbor, who is a former Marine went and said it was pretty packed at the event this year. It is good to see that more people are starting to attend.

[WhiskeyBoarder]

It was packed. I was among those in attendence. My bosses, government but non-military, also participated which, honestly, meant alot to me.

I took some pictures and, if able, will post here later. Currently, im stuck on the DC Metro...