Places We Have Called Home In 2020
102
December 19, 2020
Temperature 79 Degrees
Wreaths Across America – Florida National Cemetery
Gooooooooooood Morning World!
What a wonderful day we had today. It began with a nice relaxing morning that included a cup of coffee and a warm cinnamon muffin. A few hours in my chair with the sun shining warm upon my shoulder sure felt good.
This was a day that we had been eagerly looking forward to for a long time.
In what feels like eons ago while we were in Columbia Falls, Maine we first discovered Wreaths Across America.
It was our privilege to visit their National Office and Museum.
The museum features hundreds of photos, military memorabilia and awards. The museum also has a 15-seat theater showing a video explaining the origin of Wreaths Across America.
Wreaths Across America was founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun in 1992 by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester.
Their stated three fold mission is to:
Remember Our Fallen Veterans
Honor Those Who Serve
Teach Your Children The Value Of Freedom
Each year with the help of hundreds of volunteer trucking companies, Wreaths Across America is able to honor our Nations Fallen Heroes. The efforts of the generous trucking company owners, the drivers, and all their employees make the mission possible. The trucks are responsible for carrying thousands of Veteran’s Wreaths to Thousands of participating cemeteries across the United States. The picture above is part of what is known as the Honor Fleet rolling into Washington, DC a couple of years ago with wreaths on board.
Now, we come to today. Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, their mission to Remember, Honor and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 2,100 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad.
Today we were deeply honored to be able to participate in placing wreaths on the graves of veterans in Florida National Cemetery.
This is what we were here to do.
We waited in line to receive our first six wreaths. We would eventually make two trips through the line.
We found a section of the cemetery where there were grave markers with no wreaths placed on them and prepared to do so.
We placed our wreaths and paid our respects to our veterans who answered the call to service.
Afterwards, the words of this song came to mind
Few folks even knew his name
But a hero, yes was he
Left a boy, came back a man
Still many just don’t understand
About the reasons we are free
Or the tears he cried
As he said these words to me
Some stood through for the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some Gave All
I left the cemetery with an overwhelming sense of gratitude for all our veterans who answered the call to service. Especially for those who gave all.
But I also left with a deep sense of anger. Anger at all in positions of leadership in our country who today are attempting to destroy our democracy and the very freedoms so many of our veterans gave their lives for. In my mind they disrespect every veteran by their crass and selfish actions. My opinon and I’ll say no more.
That was just part of our day on The Road of Retirement. We’ll share the rest of our day in our next blog. Time now to wrap things up and call it a night. Thank you good Lord for the gift of this day.
Thanks for joining us today. We always appreciate your company, your comments, and your suggestions. Keep safe, keep healthy, live to the fullest the days that God gives you.
These are the voyages of Elvira and her two intrepid travelers. Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.
See you on down the road!
"On The Road of Retirement" 
What a wonderful post! I have never heard of “Wreaths Across America”, but I am very glad to know of it now. Thank you for your service to this country and for laying these wreaths. My dad and my brother (died of stomach cancer at 51 in 2003) are buried in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. They do get wreaths at Christmas, but I did not realize it was part of a larger mission. Democracy is very dear and is not guaranteed. I pray for our country and for all those who fight to protect it. God bless you! Enjoy your day!
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It was my honor and my privilege to serve our country. I, like you, continue to pray for our country. Have a great week.
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We had done this in the past but because of Covid19 the public wasn’t allowed this year. The job this year was definitely difficult because there was nearly a foot of snow to be cleared from the flat memorials before placement of the wreaths. Thank you for your service.
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