By TIM UNRUH
For Salina Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1432
Ambassadors and volunteers with Wreaths Across America will be “celebrating America’s heroes” in Salina Oct, 25.
The free Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on that Tuesday at the Salina Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1432 parking lot, 1108 W. Crawford.
The exhibit is not only “an instrument to bring communities together to learn about the Wreaths Across America mission: to remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and teach our children the value of freedom,” according to promotional materials, “but also to bridge the gap between active-duty service members, veterans and civilians.”
Presented by the Mary Wade Strother Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, WAA’s goal is to bring communities and the military together with education, stories and interactive connections highlighting American military service, sacrifice and patriotism.”
A “semi-sized trailer” will be parked in the VFW parking lot, said Doug Randolph, president of the Salina Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 809.
“This is a great event for Salina and the surrounding communities,” he said. “This is free to the public, and offering a lot of information for veterans, families, and all those who would like to drop by.”
The non-profit Wreaths Across America is best known for placing wreaths on veterans’ headstones at Arlington National Cemetery every December. Last year, the organization placed more than 2.4 million wreaths at more than 3,100 participating locations across the nation.
On National Wreaths Across America Day, Dec. 17 this year, the organization’s mission to Remember, Honor and Teach will be carried out with heath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, as well as locations in all 50 states, at sea and abroad, according to the WAA website. Visit wreathsacrossamerica.org to learn how to get involved.
WAA endeavors to use the exhibit to not only teach younger generations about service and sacrifice, but to share stories of patriotism and love of country throughout the U.S.
The exhibit pulls into any area. All veterans, active-duty military, their families and community members are invited and encouraged to visit, take a tour and speak with WAA ambassadors and volunteers.
Nearly three million Vietnam veterans across the U.S. have yet to be officially welcomed home, according to a WAA.
As part of the organization’s partnership with the United States States of America Vietnam War Veterans Commemoration in 2021, the Mobile Education Exhibit officially welcomed home more than 1,500 Vietnam veterans with a pinning ceremony that included a signed proclamation from the U.S. President.
Local COVID-19 safety procedures will be in place to protect the health of all visitors in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control recommendations.