VIPSEEN Honoring Our Vets
Don’t Say I Should Have. Say I Did.
For those who do not know about Wreaths Across America, if you have ever seen a picture of Arlington National Cemetery covered in snow, with green wreaths adorning the headstones… that was because of Wreaths Across America. On Dec. 12, 2015, Wreaths Across America, with the help of thousands of volunteers, placed wreaths on the headstones of more than 235,000 Veterans at Arlington National Cemetery. Across the U.S., over 900,000 wreaths were placed in honor of Veterans at 1100 locations. There have been ceremonies at Valley Forge, at overseas cemeteries, and on ships at sea. The American Battle Monuments Commission administers, operates and maintains 25 permanent American military cemeteries and 27 federal memorials, monuments, and markers, which are located in 16 foreign countries. This year’s Remembrance ceremony for Mountain Home is set for December 17, at 12:00 Noon…rain or shine…or snow. But, regardless of the weather, for those of us there, it will be a beautiful day. Last year, over 3,100 wreaths were placed at Mountain Home. As of September 1st of this year, Mountain Home had over 16,000 Veterans interred, including approximately 2,500 Vietnam Era Veterans. We hope to cover as many of those
fallen heroes as possible. But, we do not gather to merely decorate Veterans’ graves. We gather to Remember…not their passing...but their lives, and their service. Every day, in cemeteries all across America, more Veterans are laid to rest. Taps is played, and rifle volleys are fired. A flag is gently folded and presented to a grieving family member in recognition of, and thanks for, that Veteran’s service. We want to honor not only those Veterans, but also Remember the sacrifice and service of those who, like soldiers from long ago, no longer have family members who visit their grave sites to thank them for their service. A WWI Veteran said, “To be killed in war is not the worst that can happen. To be lost is not the worst that can happen...to be forgotten is the worst.” Hopefully, some day, after the names on those stones have been worn away by wind and rain, someone will still come to Remember and to Honor those Veterans. Thank you for joining with us to continue to Remember them. And, not just our local Veterans. For when you honor one Veteran…a husband, father, brother, a friend…you have honored all Veterans, wherever we may be.
Date: December 17 Time: 12:00 Noon – Rain or Shine Place: Mountain Home
Wreath sponsorship forms are available online at tc-mac.org 16 | VIPSEEN | NOVEMBER 2016