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Wreaths Across America: “Everyone Plays a Part.”
Greenville, Ohio — Nov. 18, 2019 — Each year, millions of
Americans - a third of whom are children - come together to REMEMBER
the fallen, HONOR those that serve and their families, and TEACH the
next generation about the value of freedom. This gathering of
individuals and communities takes place in local and national
cemeteries in all 50 states as part of National Wreaths Across America
Day. Locally, Fort GreeneVille Chapter DAR will be coordinating Wreaths
Across America at the Greenville Union Cemetery on December 14th at
noon. Each year, a new theme is chosen to help volunteers and
supporters focus their messaging and outreach in their own communities.
Today, the national nonprofit announces the theme for 2019 is “Everyone
Plays a Part.”
The inspiration for this year’s theme was a recommendation made by
ten-year-old “Mighty” Miles Worcester, the grandson of the founders of
Wreaths Across America. Last May, while in Washington D.C. for an
event, Miles saw a U.S. Service member in uniform at the hotel where he
was staying. As he always does, Miles walked up to the gentleman,
reached out to shake his hand and thanked him for his service. And his
response was simple and impactful: “Thank you…everyone plays a part.”
Miles went directly to his grandmother, WAA Executive Director Karen
Worcester, to tell her that he believed this statement would be the
perfect theme because, as he said, “those serving in the military are
doing their part, but it is our part as Americans to remember and honor
them, and that’s what Wreaths Across America does.”
The millions of volunteers and supporters – from schoolchildren and
educators, professional truck drivers, first responders, veterans, Gold
Star and Blue Star families, to corporations and other nonprofits –
devote so much of themselves to the mission to Remember, Honor, Teach,
in their own communities. Each of them, playing a part in helping to
plan and participate in local events and fundraising activities,
sponsor and transport wreaths, and raise awareness.
When asked how he feels to know so many people across the country come
together each December to Remember, Honor and Teach, Miles said without
hesitation, “It makes me feel proud to be an American.”
In 2018, nearly 1.8 million veteran wreaths were placed on headstones
at 1,640 participating cemeteries around the country in honor of the
service and sacrifices made for our freedoms, with each name said out
loud.
This year, National Wreaths Across America Day is Saturday, December
14, 2019. It is always a free event and open to all people. For
more information on Wreaths Across America, please visit
www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.
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