Honoring Veterans, Support Wreaths Across America

Members of Missouri Wing Civil Air Patrol’s units throughout the greater St. Louis area invite the public to sponsor remembrance wreaths for placement on the graves of veterans on December 15 at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery to honor those who served the U.S. as well as current military members. Sponsors can even designate specific gravesites at the cemetery where wreaths may be placed.

The CAP squadrons’ efforts coincide with national Wreath Across America Day occurring simultaneously across the nation, including Arlington National Cemetery where the initiative began 26 years ago with the placement of 5,000 wreaths donated by Morrell Worcester, owner of Harrington, Maine’s Worcester Wreath Co. In 2006, Worcester and his family formed Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit initiative that recognizes the courage and sacrifices of U.S. veterans by placing wreaths on the graves of the fallen during the year-end holiday season.

“Each and every wreath is a gift from an appreciative person or family who knows what it means to serve and sacrifice for the freedoms we all enjoy,” said Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America. “We are so grateful to the community of St. Louis for participating in our mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach.”

As a major partner in Wreaths Across America for twelve Decembers now, CAP has adorned memorials and veterans’ graves with evergreen wreaths to make sure the sacrifices of the nation’s soldiers are not forgotten. Last year, members of the public sponsored the placement of almost 1.6 million wreaths at over 1,400 cemetery or memorial sites in all 50 states and overseas – including more than 90.000 volunteers placing wreaths on every gravesite at Arlington National Cemetery – with hundreds of volunteers placing over 10,000 wreaths locally at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. More than 250 CAP squadrons from across the U.S. participated in last year’s Wreaths Across America ceremonies.

“Civil Air Patrol is a patriotic organization with a rich, 77-year history of serving the needs of our communities nationwide,” said CAP National Commander Maj. Gen. Mark Smith. “There is no finer need within our communities than that of the Wreaths Across America project – remembering and honoring our fallen veterans – at a time of year reserved for giving thanks. CAP is honored and proud to be associated with Wreaths Across America.”

For more information on how to sponsor wreaths for Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, please go to www.wreathsacrossamerica.org or call 877-385-9504. Wreath sponsorship starts at $15.00. Individual, family and corporate sponsorships are available. When ordering wreaths please use group identification number “MO0020P” and location identification code “MOJBNS”. Orders received by Monday, December 3, 2018, will be honored. Orders received after this date will be credited to next year’s event.

About Missouri Wing, Civil Air Patrol

The Missouri Wing of the Civil Air Patrol is composed of over 1,000 members organized in more than thirty units located throughout the state. The wing conducted five search and rescue missions, as well as four other state support missions, in 2017 and was credited with three finds. Visit www.mowgcap.us for more information.

About Civil Air Patrol

Civil Air Patrol, the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is the newest member of the Air Force’s Total Force. In this role, CAP operates a fleet of 560 aircraft, performs about 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 82 lives annually. CAP’s 61,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. In addition, CAP plays a leading role in aerospace/STEM education, and its members serve as mentors to over 25,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs. Visit www.GoCivilAirPatrol.com or www.CAP.news for more information.

About Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine business-man Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as at thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. Visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org for more information about Wreaths Across America and participating locations. Follow Wreaths Across America on Facebook at facebook.com/WAAHQ, and on Twitter and Instagram @WreathsAcross.

Point of contact: Lt. Col. David A. Miller, CAP, wreaths.stlouis@gmail.com.