Wreaths Across America Sets Goal to Place 55,000 Wreaths on Grave Sites of
Fallen Soldiers; Seeks Donors
HOUSTON, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The saying that everything is
bigger in Texas shines through even in the way Texans show support for their
fallen soldiers. In December of 2008, Wreaths Across America Houston placed a
record-setting 14,400 holiday wreaths upon the grave sites of their fallen
heroes, and this year their planning committee is working to raise enough
funds to place over 55,000 wreaths.
This emotional celebration will take place December 12, 2009 (rain or shine)
at 11:00 am at the Houston National Cemetery. The volunteers for this event
are expecting 15,000 attendees.
For a limited time, Wreaths Across America is still accepting donations for
this year and please consider making your donation soon. For only $15.00 that
will put one more beautiful live Maine wreath to be placed on the grave site
of a fallen soldier.
The keynote speaker will be a Medal of Honor recipient who will be part of the
escort along with 200 corvettes from the Corvette Clubs of Houston, and 500+
motorcycles.
This bigger-than-Texas project was sparked by a father who simply wanted to
answer a question for his son. Alex deMasi, now eight years old, was curious
why the Houston National Cemetery didn't get all the wreaths like those laid
at Arlington National Cemetery. Alex's father, Scott deMasi, wanted to help
him learn about our military and what it means to be an American. The two are
not alone in this endeavor; they are supported by an incredible all-volunteer
planning committee, corporate donors, small companies, and thousands of
individuals. With the group in place, they have set out to place a wreath on
every one of the 55,000+ graves.
Although falling short of the goal for 2008, the group managed to get
donations for a record-breaking 14,000 wreaths for our fallen soldiers. In a
solemn escort through Houston by more than 250 motorcycles, police officers
and military personnel, the 3 tractor-trailers pulled into the cemetery filled
with volunteers ready to place the wreaths. The emotional event was the
largest ever done in the United States and proved to be an awe-inspiring sight
upon completion.
WAA Houston has been honored with an award by Leadership Houston for
Leadership in Action in the Military Outreach category. The Leadership in
Action Awards recognize nonprofits and corporations that have made
extraordinary contributions through their programs & projects toward the
betterment of life in the greater Houston Area.
For donor information, please visit: http://www.waahouston.com
About Wreaths Across America - Houston
Wreaths Across America Houston is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to
honoring veterans buried at the Houston National Cemetery. Tax deductible
donations are requested to fund its goal of placing a wreath at all 55,000+
gravesites. The Wreaths Across America story began over 15 years ago when
Worcester Wreath Company (a for-profit commercial business from Harrington,
Maine) began a tradition of placing wreaths on the headstones of our Nation's
fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery during the holidays. Over that
period of time, Worcester Wreath has donated 90,000 wreaths which were placed
by volunteers in a wreath-laying ceremony each December. But as word spread,
the mission to Remember; Honor; and Teach about the sacrifices made by our
veterans has captured the hearts and minds of many communities across the
Country.
Contact Information:
Wreaths Across America - Houston Phone: (281) 540-9444
4582 Kingwood Dr., #247 Web: www.waahouston.com
Kingwood, TX 77345 E-mail: info@waahouston.com
SOURCE Wreaths Across America
Wreaths Across America - Houston, +1-281-540-9444, info@waahouston.com
