Todays Blog is quite simple. I enclose in it`s entirety an e mail I received from a Veteran Flyer on PEI. Thank you Rob for passing on this worthwhile cause.
To: Robby
Robby
I received this from Rudy Levecque who is one of my old flight engineer buddies who is retired and living in Ottawa.
It may be of interest to you or someone you know.
Pass it on please.
Robbie
Subject: Wreaths Across Canada
Hi Rudy:
Your question is What is Wreaths Across Canada.
Thirty months ago, I was in Arlington Cemetery and heard that Morrill Worcester of Worcester Wreaths Company made 4,000 to many Christmas Wreaths. He said to his people What should I do with all these wreaths. They told him to donate them to Arlington Cemetery . 50 people went with him to Arlington Cemetery in 1992 and put these wreaths at the base of 4000 veteran's headstones. 1993 to 2006 - he donated 5,000 wreaths each year to Arlington Cemetery . 2007 to 2009 he donated 10,000 wreaths to Arlington Cemetery . During later years the public started sending him donations to help pay for these wreaths.
This is done during the 2nd Saturday of December, where families come together over the traditional holidays and visit family veterans of years past at the cemeteries across the USA . Please go to wreathsacrossameria.org and see their newsletter and go to the web page to learn more about it.
30 months ago, when I got back to Ottawa I wrote a letter to the CDS stating that this program should be adopted at our National Military Cemetery at Beechwood Cemetery the first Saturday of Dec each year. Wreaths Across Canada would put Balsum Wreaths at the base of headstones of those servicemen buried at the National Military Cemetery .
Wreaths Across Canada is another way to remember our hero's and veteran's. We want to REMEMBER - the contributions of our fallen Canadian military personnel those enhancing public knowledge and pride in Canada's history, to HONOR - those who served in Canada's military and there by obtained the benefit public recognition and respect for their deeds, to TEACH Canadians particularly Canadian youth by teaching them of the sacrifices made by Canadian veterans and military personnel for the preservation of freedom and democracy.
Wearths Across Canada want to place balsum wreaths at the base of headstones at the National Military Cemetery at Beechwood the first Saturday of December. This is anothe way to remember our veteran's.
My Board of Director's include:
Honorary Chairman Gen Rick Hiller Army/CAF Retired (former Chief of Defence Staff)
President - Warrant Officer Craig McPhee RCAF/CAF Retired
Vice President - Colonel John Gardam Army/CAF Retired
Treasurer - Robert Landry - Federal Civil Service - Certified General Accountant
Director of Operations - Mr Kirk Darch CEO of BDMK, Rgt Sgt Maj of the Cdn Engr Rgt Reserves
Director of Logistics - Commander Gerry Beament Navy/Retired
Director of Ceremonies - Major Jerry Wharton Army/Retired - Wrote the Book of Ceremonis for DND and Public Service
Director of Communications - Commander Jeff Agnew Navy Retiring Shortly.
Director of Adminisration - Shirley Lambert - Retired/ Administration Director
I call them the Dream Team.
We will raise all funds to pay for wreaths, and other expenses. We would like the Legion just to advise their members of Wreaths Across Canada and if any veterans would like to come out and place a wreath at some ones headstone - we would like to have them. We do not want any money from the Legion, and we do not want a colour guard. The Legion has done so much during the year, that we as a private group of volunteers just want to Remember our veteran's another way and have the public, active and retired military personnel come out and lay balsum wreaths.
Our By-Laws had been completed, and we are applyingto Canada Revenue Service for Charitable approval for an educational fee bursary for Grade 10 students to take History including Military subjects. The winner will receive $2000.00 educational fee bursary.
Our target date is Saturday, 3 December 2011.
:Please note that Wreaths Across Canada plan is to go across Canada and invite Cemeteries listed in the Silent Witness Book to be invited to be part of this program.
For our informtion, Wreaths Across Canada in St. John's Newfoundland was the first Province to join. I was in St. John's 11-14 Dec 09 and on 12 Dec 09 - assisted them in laying 800 wreaths at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in St. John's in the Field of Honour. Mrs Ella Lucas, Memorial Cross Mother with her daughter Wendy Bennett were in attendance and placed a wreath in the honour of he son Sgt Donald Lucas, along with other dignitaries from the local cities, Provinicial and Federal agencies.
Please go to www.wreathsacrosscanada.ca/nl/ for more information.
I do hope that this helps you understand what Wreaths Across Canada is all about. If you would like to be a volunteer and help out - please let me know.
Craig McPhee
President
Wreaths Across Canada
8 Spyglass Ridge
Ottawa , ON K2A 1R6
Tel: 613-435-3567
Email address: wac2008@rogers.com
Link: http://www.wreathsacrosscanada.ca/nl/
Please note: Larry Romard and I have been close friends since 1957 when we were stationed at 412 (T) Squadron at Uplands.
You may have notice my email address from Larry (as krazykrazy@rogers.com). This email address is my Shrine Klown name krazykrazy. I have been clowning for 35 years, and have a Master in the Art of Clowing after graduating with 52 credits. I have been teaching at the Clown Institute in Plymouth , MA since 1995. I started clowning in 1974 at Ramstein Germany and have completed over 5000 hours in face and 350 circus performances.
Cheers.
Remember Everyone Deployed
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
