“After all, if Christmas is a perfect time of year to give to others, there is no better way than freely placing wreaths across America for those who ensured that very freedom with their lives.”
It is always better to give than receive. Like American soldiers, providing the ultimate gift is imperative, even on behalf of countless strangers. Americans through-and-through, right? As a policeman, I always cheered colleagues receiving life-saving awards or medals of valor or meritorious commendations. Ribbons stacked upon a uniform, any uniform, is a splendid validation that the wearer recognizably did some damn fine work in the stead of others.
There are certain times of the year when those who dedicated their lives in service to others draw increased respect, honor and dignity. Veterans Day is a commemorative, introspective time reserved for those who stood-up for our country and paid the price of freedom with their lives.
At Christmastime, we recognize Wreaths Across America. Self-explanatory, Christmas wreaths are emplaced upon headstoned gravesites of US soldiers, often facilitated by surviving veterans, loved-ones and/or volunteers fulfilling the heartfelt cause throughout our nation.
Across our beloved nation, there are 135 VA national cemeteries encompassing close to 21,000 acres. The largest military cemetery (1,045 acres) is in NY while the smallest (0.3 acre) is in Virgina. But the plot size matters not; the sacredness does.
In Florida, the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell is the hallowed ground upon which hundreds dedicated their time and efforts. Per Florida National Cemetery staff, approximately 24,000 wreaths were placed on December 16th. Indeed, heroes serve heroes and there is only one flag waved while paying homage.
Locally in Tampa Bay, Florida, some heroes I have the privilege to know positioned wreaths across American soldiers’ resting places. The coordination, symmetry, and precision is indicative of military discipline and deserved respect.
Volunteer Betty Bourque Gagnon has served Wreaths Across America for five years and is joined by an estimable 2,500 bikers comprised of Patriot Guard Riders, Florida Bikers for Florida Bikers, VFW Riders, Suncoast Brotherhood and other bike clubs…all of whom convene at Florida National Cemetery for the annual wreath-placing on December 16, 2017.
Thomas “T-man” Brown, a dear friend of mine who devotes a huge portion of his military retirement life in-service to others, has been riding among the Patriot Guard. Brown has been contributing to the Wreaths Across America effort since its inception in 2007.
In addition to the annual wreath-placing jaunt, Mr. Brown facilitates needs and resources for our homeless military veterans in Tampa Bay. As an outreach coordinator for Tampa Homeless Outreach (THO), Mr. Brown pairs people and sustenance together, and serves those whose difficult life circumstances arose post-military.
Mr. Brown also coordinates the Veterans Forgiveness Court in Tampa, Florida, whereby veterans hampered by various legal woes can stand before the judiciary and have slates cleaned, as defined in a recent OpsLens piece.
As is emblazoned upon Ms. Gagnon’s and Mr. Brown’s T-shirts, “We stand for those who stood for us.” Even in the tragic aftermath of battle-hardened warriors, picking up the pieces does not have to be done alone. Indeed, no one is left behind..and these folks assure those words are not hollow.
“We stand for those who stood for us.”
By the truckload, with personalized markings advertising the pine-based cargo being hauled, mass quantities of Wreaths Across America foliage are delivered at military cemeteries…and the volunteer groundskeepers couldn’t be any more immersed in their work.
As Ms. Gagnon stated with well-placed pride, “My Daddy and Brother served. I’m just a Patriot who loves my Country and those who fight for my freedoms.”
“My Daddy and Brother served. I’m just a Patriot who loves my Country and those who fight for my freedoms.” –Betty Bourque Gagnon
Per the Wreaths Across America website, “Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as over 1,200 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea, and abroad.”
I’d say Ms. Gagnon and Mr. Brown are joined by many others who selflessly fulfill that heartwarming mission: Remembering, honoring, and teaching the children present for the wreath-laying…another reason for the season.
Countless lives ensured America’s freedom-filled observations, and it is those same children who will pass-forward the bright torch of patriotism.
After all, if Christmas is a perfect time of year to give to others, there is no better way than freely placing wreaths across America for those who ensured that very freedom with their lives. In that light, Wreaths Across America executive Director Karen Worcester coined it quite well:
“We are not here to ‘decorate graves.’ We’re here to remember not their deaths, but their lives.”
