Wreaths Across America

2018

Andersonville National Cemetery

Georgia

15 December 2018

I estimate that about 400 Volunteers participated in this event.  The Ceremony starts at 12:00 (Noon) in the Eastern Time Zone.  All time zones in the United States are involved with East Coast leading the way.  Wreaths are placed at Cemeteries on the West Coast also after appropriate Ceremony at 9:00 A.M.  I have attended this event several times in years past, but 2018 is the first year that I have participated in the laying of the Wreaths.  The following pictures and appropriate comments are provided so that you can also appreciate and realize the impact that this event has on all who attend and/or participate in this Annual Event.

I arrived early and was determined to take some before

pictures.  There were many of these boxes throughout the Cemetery.

I learned later that each box contained from nine to ten wreaths, each

with a red bow.

This is one of the three that delivered the 15,000 wreaths to Andersonville.

As a Navy Veteran myself I took the opportunity to meet the driver of this

rig.  He was proud of his Navy Service as evidenced by the Navy SEABEES

Tag/

Bennett Heavy and Specialist Trucking Company of

Georgia had this trailer wrapped to promote the Wreaths Across America

Organiation. 

This was taken prior to the Laying of the Wreaths

This rig was an attention getter and was very near the Rostrum 

where the Ceremony was conducted.

I had a new found friend take this picture of me at the side of the Trailer

and at the Seal of the U. S. Navy!

There was a wreath for each Branch of the Military as well as

the Merchant Marines and also the POWs.  I took this one  because of my

Navy Career.

Members of the Albany, Georgia Civil Air Patrol

stood behind the Wreaths for each Service and each 

organization as identified above.

The Ceremony started with the Presentation of the Colors with 

this Civil Air Patrol Honor Guard!

The individual on the right is with the Bennett Trucking Firm.

He was presented a plaque to say Thank You.  Additionally

a plaque was presented to the Taylor Family Foundation for

their participation in this Event.  In 2017 about 3500 Wreaths

were delivered to Andersonville.  The Bennett Organization was

involved and set a goal of obtaining 5,000 wreaths.  With involvement

from several organizations a total of 15,000 wreaths were obtained for 

delivery to Andersonville.

Several individuals from the Bennett Organization

placed a wreath at the appropriate flag.  These individuals were

ushered to the flag by a member of the Civil Air Patrol as well as

a Boy Scout.

The goal of the Wreaths Across America in addition to the placement

of wreaths at the Marker of Veterans is to "Remember, Honor and Teach."

This was very well demonstrated during this event with the

involvement of may young citizens.

Taps was performed as the program concluded.  

A Retired U. S. Marine from the Albany, Georgia area

performed "Amazing Grace" prior to all of us volunteers being

dispatched to lay the wreaths at the Markers of 15,000 Heroes.

Every volunteer was asked to repeat the Name of the Hero

as the Wreath was Laid at the Marker.  A simple, but very

appropriate way to honor these Heroes/

I placed wreaths at this row of Civil War Heroes.  A very

emotional experience for me.  I am confident that the laying of the

wreath at each marker of each Hero was an emotional

experience for each Volunteer!

I just had to take this picture of the Markers with their wreaths and 

the delivery trailer in the background.

As I departed the event I asked a fellow volunteer to take

my picture alongside the Iowa Memorial at

Andersonville.

The individual who placed the Wreath at the Merchant Marine Flag
was escorted by what appeared to be His Grandson as well as
the Civil Air Patrol Member and the Boy Scout.

The individual who placed the Wreath at the Coast Guard Flag was
the Mother or Grand Mother of a Member currently on
Active duty in the Coast Guard.  She was also escorted by a Civil Air
Patrol and a Boy Scout.

The Wreath at the POW Flag was placed by a Niece of a POW.  She was
also escorted by a Member of the Civil Air Patrol as well as a Boy Scout.  This
was the most emotional event for me to observe during the
entire program and the day at Andersonville.

Should you desire to learn more about the Wreaths Across America History, please
visit:

https://www.worcesterwreath.com/WAA-Story_ep_41.html

Thank You!!