The Veteran Services Committee of the Freedom District Lions Club invites all members, friends, neighbors and especially any veteran to join us in a very special ceremony recognizing Veterans as part of the Wreaths Across America (WAA) program.
WAA has a simple mission: Remember, Honor, Teach. Remembrance is tangible in the laying of wreaths in cemeteries across the country. Veterans are honored through numerous programs, and the activities of the organization include teaching the next generation about veterans who have gone before them.
In Carroll County, the Babylon Vault Company of New Windsor supports WAA ceremonies in 39 cemeteries across Carroll County. Many of our Lions have been part of such events in the past, and there was significant interest last year in sponsoring an event in the Freedom Area. A partnership was forged with Springfield Cemetery to initiate a WAA service this December 16th at noon.
The partnership includes opportunities for Lions and Leos to be involved in a number of ways. Some Lions are already:
- Volunteering to emcee and provide a speaker for the ceremony,
- Coordinating veteran participation in the ceremony,
- Connecting with the Springfield Cemetery Board to identify the graves of 159 veterans,
- Purchasing wreaths on behalf of the Club
To support this project, please consider:
- Sponsoring a wreath for $17 each. You will also be entered in a raffle (see the attachment). There are two ways to this
- Print out the PDF form with a link at the bottom of this message, including the code MDSFCC to designate Springfield Cemetery.
- Go to this website and click on “Sponsor Wreaths”
- Volunteering – contact us at the link below!
- Help with the marking of the 159 graves the week prior to December 16th. The day and time will be set based on interest and availability.
- Assist in the transportation, short-term storage, and delivery of wreaths. A pickup, van, trailer or similar vehicle will pickup in New Windsor December 15th and bring to the cemetery early on December 16th.
- Lay wreaths on December 16th during the ceremony that begins at noon. Special wreaths will be laid by Veterans during the initial ceremony.
- Other volunteers are needed for laying wreathes, providing refreshments and supporting the event in other ways.
- Participate in the clean up of the wreaths on December 30th between 10 am and 1 pm. Bows will be removed and the wreaths donated for goats and other livestock. There will be a sign up once the time is confirmed; Leos have been asked to support this specifically.
- Help identify places to donate the wreaths, pickup on December 30 and deliver.
Many thanks for any support. Please share this information widely!
https://fdlionsclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Wreath-Sponsorship-Raffle-10-23-V2.pdf
https://fdlionsclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2023-WAA-Sponsor-form.pdf