Tag Archive: Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America

On Saturday, December 9, members of the South Snohomish County VFW Honor Guard, formed mostly of Post 8870 and 1040 members, participated in the Wreaths Across America event. They joined other veterans and supporters, providing ceremonial services to accompany the annual laying of wreaths on the graves of Veterans at Washelli Cemetery. The post contributed funds for wreaths in addition to the active participation of several members. At left are shown the gathering of those joining opening ceremonies, with stacks of packaged wreaths waiting to be distributed in front of the WWI memorial statue. Hundreds of such ceremonies are held every year at veterans cemeteries across the country to honor our deceased comrades.

The Veterans Memorial Wreath Foundation cordially invites you to the 2022 Wreaths Across America Ceremonial Wreath Commemoration  

The Veterans Memorial Wreath Foundation cordially invites you to the 2022
Wreaths Across America Ceremonial Wreath Commemoration

Please join us at Veterans Memorial Park at Evergreen Washelli Cemetery on Saturday, December 17th at 9 AM 

During a short military ceremony eight ceremonial wreaths will be dressed to honor our Fallen Heroes who served in the United States Armed Forces. Help us place wreaths on headstones of our military heroes in gratitude for their service. We encourage you to invite family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. 

Attendance is FREE. 

Questions? www.vmwf.org 

Wreaths Across America

Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, the mission to Remember, Honor and Teach of the Veterans Memorial Wreath Foundation, is carried out by coordinating wreathlaying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 2,500 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states (locally including, among others Evergreen Washelli in north Seattle) at sea and abroad. 

Wreaths Across America is a project of American Gold Star Mothers. In the photo above left, 8870 members Mike Reagan and Bob Little are shown among those braving the downpour on Saturday December 18, to lay wreaths on some 3,000 veterans’ graves. 

Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America

On December 15, the annual Wreaths Across America event was held at the Veterans Cemetery at Evergreen Washelli in north Seattle. Several VFW Post 8870 members participated, including those members who who are part of the combined honor guard of our South Snohomish County VFW posts.

Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, supporters gather to “Remember, Honor and Teach” by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as over 1,400 additional locations, at sea, and abroad.

Post 8870 donates funds to purchase wreaths annually to support this mission.

 

Post Chaplain Dan Doyle Speaks on VFW Honor Guard

Post Chaplain Dan Doyle Speaks on VFW Honor Guard

Our Post Chaplain, Dan Doyle a Navy Corpsman and Fleet Marine Force veteran, has taken it upon himself to join what is becoming the South Shohomish County VFW Honor Guard. At the July Post meeting, Dan filled us in on the nature and functions of the Honor Guard.

Started as the Lynnwood Post1040 Honor Guard and still run by that Post, it was organized primarily to provide burial services to veterans in our area, but they also participate in other events, such as Wreaths Across America where appropriate. Demand for the group’s services has grown dramatically in recent years and as new volunteers are need to share the load, the group is morphing into a combined unit of all South County posts.

Members are uniformed, (funded by Post 1040) and rifles owned by all of the participating posts (8870 has three M1 Grarands) are utilized. While at least one excellent bugler is involved, but if you are a bugle/trumpet player, your services would be of value.

Doyle spoke of the satisfaction he has found in provided this service to grieving families and believes other members will appreciate the opportunity to serve.

For more information on how to get involved, contact Chaplain Doyle.

Wreaths Across America

At the March Post meeting, we heard and saw a presentation on the “Wreaths Across America” program presented by Lorraine Zimmerman. Our Post has supported this program both financially and with member participation, to assist them in executing their efforts and help us all to:

REMEMBER our fallen U.S. veterans 

HONOR those who serve 

TEACH your children the value of freedom 

 

Wreaths Across America

American Legion Post 66 Commander Jim Collins presents Zimmerman with a check from Post 66, as Commander Denton looks on. Post 8870’s contribution was presented separately.

Wreaths Across America

 

March Speaker: Lorraine Zimmerman, Wreaths Across America

March Speaker: Lorraine Zimmerman, Wreaths Across AmericaLorraine Zimmerman will speak to the Post at the March meeting to share the story of Wreaths Across America and particularly the recurring event at Evergreen Washelli.

Post 8870 has provided financial support to the program in the past and expects to continue our participation.

These wreaths represented each branch of the service, plus one for prisoners of war.

 (Photo courtesy MyEdmondsNews.com)

Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America

Lorraine Zimmerman, President of the Navy Wives of America—Totem #277 and her associate, Chrystal, were our guest speakers for December’s meeting. Lorraine is the local representative of Wreaths Across America, an organization which places wreaths on veterans graves. At Arlington, every one of the graves is decorated with a wreath while locally about 500 veterans graves at Washelli Cemetery receive a wreath. A ceremony commemorating the placement of wreaths is held at the same exact time across the world 1200 hours at Arlington and 0900 here locally. Our Post has supported Wreaths Across America with an annual donation and, hopefully, will do so in the future.

Wreaths Across America

Where Does Our Relief Funds Go?

We raise a lot of money handing out Buddy Poppies. How do we spend it? Not a single penny goes to the Post or to overhead. Here’s this year’s budget:

Service Officer – $2,500
Special Olympics – $ 500
Scholarships – $4,000
Fallen Heroes Project – $2,250
Youth Programs – $1,000
Fisher Houses – $2,000
Teacher of the Year – $ 500
Santa’s Castle– JBLM – $1,000
Student Essays – $ 750
Chaplains’ Offices – $1,500
Veterans Homes – $2,000
Semper Fi Fund – $ 500
National Home for Children – $1,000
Wounded Warriors – $ 500
National Military Services – $1,000
CRISTA Camps – $1,000
USO – $1000
NW Battle Buddies – $ 500
Rainier Therapeutic Riding – $ 500
Wreaths Across America – $ 500
Misc./Contingency – $1,200