On Saturday, July 27, as part of its 11th Annual Stem to Stone event, national nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA) recognized the Veterans Heritage Site Foundation (VHSF) as the eighth recipient of the organization’s annual REMEMBER Award. This award is given semi-annually to an individual or group who Remembers the fallen and their sacrifice in a way that goes above and beyond.

Veterans Heritage Site Foundation is actively involved in the WAA mission. It participates annually in identifying, marking and cleaning military and veteran gravesites. In 2020, VHSG created the Great Smoky Mountain Veterans Gravesite Project to help identify and honor veterans buried throughout Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which spans five counties between Tennessee and North Carolina – they are committed to identifying and honoring these heroes. So far, 247 veteran gravesites have been identified within the park, with the majority located in the 64 historic cemeteries, and they continue to review more cases regularly.

“I am so thrilled to be able to recognize Veterans Heritage Site Foundation and its president, Marilyn Childress, who is also a WAA volunteer Location Coordinator and Sponsorship Group Leader, for this important award,” said Julie Bright, WAA Director of Locations and Groups, and Committee Chair for the Remember Award. “As a part of this project, the group must hike to many sites, including one which is an 18.5-mile round trip and requires a 30-minute boat ride to the trailhead! We’ve been following their efforts since 2020, and their passion to make sure these veterans are remembered all year long is just outstanding.”

VHSF has also started a program to identify, mark, and maintain Revolutionary War gravesites within the state of Tennessee, with the support of local partnering organizations, including Daughters of the American Revolution and Girl Scout Troops throughout the state who assist with this project. They have also recruited a forensic scientist to their board who assists with locating unmarked veteran gravesites.

“Veterans Heritage Site Foundation is so excited about being honored with the Remember Award. This honor goes to our dedicated volunteers who hike in wind, rain, or snow to place wreaths and honor and remember these once-forgotten veterans in the park. They also spend hours cleaning their headstones,” said Marilyn Childress, President of the Veterans Heritage Site Foundation. “We thank Wreaths Across America for this most prestigious award.”

On Saturday, July 27, as part of its 11th Annual Stem to Stone event, national nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA) recognized longtime volunteer Jennifer Adcock as the tenth recipient of the organization’s annual Honor Award. This award is given semi-annually to an individual or group who honors those who serve and their families in a way that supports the Wreaths Across America mission to Remember, Honor, Teach.

“I struggle to think of anyone more deserving of the Wreaths Across America Honor Award than Jennifer Adcock. She does so much throughout the year that qualifies her for this award. She has been and continues to be a valuable member of the Arlington Core Team,” said WAA board member Dan Mead. “Fulfilling photo requests for families is a massive project, and Arlington National Cemetery is 639 acres, so fulfilling photo requests requires detailed planning and miles of walking. Like everything Jennifer does, she tackles it with a full heart, determination and dedication that inspires anyone who knows her.”

As a volunteer Sponsorship Group Leader for ‘North Carolina Ambassador for Arlington’ (NC0011), Jennifer has supported and participated in the WAA mission since 2011. She raises thousands of dollars annually to sponsor veterans’ wreaths at events, including Maryland’s annual Irish Festival and helps facilitate the WAA Mobile Education experience booth. In April 2022, Jennifer organized a massive BBQ cook-off competition with numerous sponsors and nearly 100 competitors to raise awareness and sponsorships for WAA. The event raised over $7,200!

“I am deeply humbled to be the 2024 recipient of the HONOR Award. In 2010, I signed up my son and myself to help place wreaths at Arlington, thinking it would be a good experience for him. That day changed the course of my life. Wreaths Across America has undoubtedly made me a better person and American. The organization has brought so many wonderful people into my life. I now have friends all over the country and abroad, many of which are now family,” said Adcock after accepting her award in Maine.

“Arlington will always be a very special place for me. Taking pictures for families is just a small way for me to honor their heroes while thanking them for their service and sacrifice. Some say a picture is worth a thousand words. Sometimes, a picture is priceless. I don’t know them all, but I owe them all,” added Adcock. “In that spirit, I graciously accept this award in memory of the heroes buried at Arlington and in honor of their families.”

On Saturday, July 27, as part of its 11^th Annual Stem to Stone event, national nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA) recognized Elise Ketler of Cranberry Township, Pa., as the seventh recipient of the organization’s semi-annual LEARN Award. This award is given to a young individual who has learned and understands the WAA mission, incorporates it into their life and demonstrates that learning through action.

Ketler, who turned 18 the same day, was presented with the LEARN Award by Lorna Harris, Gold Star Mother and WAA Board Member, during the nonprofit’s annual weekend event held in the Downeast region of Maine, where it is headquartered. 

“Elise has been a part of WAA for seven years. From distributing wreaths and fundraising to educating others, she continues to take the mission of WAA to heart,” said Cindy Tatum, WAA Curriculum Developer and Chairperson of the Award Committee. “She has been active in the mission since she was ten. She has even traveled from her hometown in Pennsylvania to Arlington National Cemetery to participate in the national wreath laying there. Based on the numerous examples provided by the many individuals who nominated her, Elise clearly understands what it means to have served and how important it is to honor and remember our nation’s veterans. We are proud to recognize her for her efforts!”

Elise has served as a volunteer Location Coordinator for two years for St. Mary’s Cemetery in New Oregon, NY (NYSMNO), with about 50 veterans laid to rest. She is also a Sponsorship Group Leader for ‘Elise's Birthday Wish’ PA0330, which supports St. Mary’s Cemetery in New Oregon, Arlington National Cemetery, National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, and Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. 

In the last seven years, her tireless effort has inspired individuals to donate over $10,000 to support our fallen heroes. She arranged for the WAA Mobile Education Exhibit (MEE) to come to her middle school to help teach her fellow students about the program and why we should honor veterans.

On Saturday, July 27, as part of its 11^th Annual Stem to Stone event, national nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA) recognized Michelle Gaspar (formerly, Brezina) of Olmsted Township, Ohio, as the tenth recipient of the organization’s annual TEACH Award. This award is given semi-annually to an individual or group who has significantly contributed to teaching the next generation to Remember and Honor those who serve in our nation’s military.

Gaspar was presented the TEACH Award by Susan Patten, Development and Communications Coordinator for the WAA Teach Program, who chaired the selection committee at the nonprofit’s annual weekend event held in the Downeast region of Maine, where it is headquartered.

“Michelle is an exemplary math teacher who devotes much of her time to teaching her students about the military. Her room is adorned with flags from the military branches, and though her classroom is small, she keeps a place for a ‘Missing Man’ table,” said Susan Patten. “Her dedication to teaching students about the sacrifices of our military and their families aligns well with the Teach aspect of WAA’s mission. We are proud to recognize her in this way.”

Each year, Gaspar, who teaches at St. Columbkille School in Parma, Ohio, organizes a military family appreciation spirit week and leads her school in honoring the military with a ‘Military Day.’ The day begins with breakfast for visiting veterans, continues with a prayer service and flag ceremony with the local VFW, and concludes with the junior high students engaging in a P.T. boot camp with local recruiters. Her students are included in every step of this process.

“My love and devotion to teach, inform, and engage my junior high students and the entire St. Columbkille community stems from many of my family members who served in the United States Military. The biggest influences were both my grandfathers (one served in the Marines and the other in the Navy) and my closest cousin (who served in the Army). My personal mission is to share my passion and love for supporting the Military with my students, even though I teach them math (another passion),” said Gaspar. “I want them to feel proud of what our military does for America and open the door for them to have conversations with their family members who have served to understand better what these men and women do. My students are willing to jump in, coordinate, execute, honor and remember our military friends, both past and present, with love and respect.  We bring smiles and honor to our veterans, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

On Saturday, July 27, as part of its 11th Annual Stem to Stone event, national nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA) recognized Public Safety Telecommunicator Teresa Collins of Marblehead, Mass., as the third recipient of the organization’s Chief Janine Roberts’ Leadership Award. This award is given to a law enforcement or first responder who exemplifies unwavering service to their community and dedication to WAA’s year-round mission to Remember, Honor, Teach. 

“Teresa Collins was selected for this year’s award unanimously by our committee,” said Chief (ret) Janine Roberts. “She has been a Public Safety Telecommunicator for the Town of Marblehead for 27 years and is an Emergency Medical Technician. To help support injured veterans in their recoveries, she has volunteered with Boston’s Wounded Veterans Run for over thirteen years. She has spearheaded awareness and support for the WAA mission in her community. Because of Teresa's passion and dedication to our nation’s veterans, she is a worthy recipient of this recognition.”

Collins brought the Wreaths Across America program to Marblehead when she became the volunteer Location Coordinator for Waterside Cemetery. She is also a WAA sponsorship group leader for Marblehead, MA - Wreaths Across America (MA0153), which supports this location. Thanks to her efforts in awareness and public education, she has increased support for the program from 400 veterans’ wreaths sponsored to more than 1,700 last year. In a massive effort this year, Collins has mapped almost 2,500 veterans’ graves in local cemeteries, cataloging each marker so there is a photo of it and information about each person’s service. From there, families can upload stories and photos of their veterans, making the geographical information system (GIS) map she’s created a historical treasure.

 “This is such an incredible honor, it’s hard for me to believe,” said Collins. “I have been an admirer of Chief Roberts for years. My first experience with the mission was participating in the escort to Arlington as a member of the Patriot Guard many years ago. I’ve respected Chief Roberts’ leadership from the beginning and am proud to be recognized by her in this way.”

On Saturday, July 27, as part of its 11th Annual Stem to Stone event, national nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA) recognized Interstate Van Lines, headquartered in Springfield, Va., as the eighth recipient of the organization’s James Prout Spirit of Giving Award. The WAA Transportation Team presented company representatives with the award at the nonprofit’s annual weekend event held in the Downeast region of Maine, where it is headquartered.

The James Prout Spirit of Giving Award is named in memory of James Prout, owner of Blue Bird Ranch Trucking of Jonesboro, Maine. Prout was the first person to volunteer to haul wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery when the program was in its infancy. The award is given semi-annually to a deserving professional truck driver, company or organization that has supported charitable causes in a way that will affect generations to come.

“In 2022, Arlington National Cemetery started a major expansion project and the normal route WAA used to stage trucks in the cemetery was no longer an option. Interstate Van Lines offered to host all the trucks delivering veterans’ wreaths at their facility,” said Courtney George, WAA Director of Transportation & Industry Relations. “Their team stepped up to be there around the clock, opening their facilities, including showers and bathrooms to the drivers. They even ensured the drivers were fed with sandwiches at night and breakfast in the morning. They’ve continued to provide this service to WAA in 2023, and plans are underway to provide support in 2024. Interstate Van Lines’ hospitality embodies the value of giving back to the community, which is why we were proud to present them with the James Prout Spirit of Giving Award.”

In addition to the above, Interstate is responsible for receiving the wreaths, offloading them, and then delivering them to Soldiers’ & Airmen’s Home National Cemetery, a participating program location. They are proud members of the WAA Honor Fleet, haul a multi-stop load for WAA to West Virginia, and deliver veterans’ wreaths to Arlington. 

“We are deeply honored to receive the James Prout Spirit of Giving Award from Wreaths Across America,” said J.D. Morrissette, President of Interstate Van Lines Inc. “This recognition underscores our unwavering commitment to honoring veterans and their families. Our team is dedicated to supporting Wreaths Across America’s mission, and we take immense pride in contributing to such a meaningful cause. We look forward to continuing this partnership and ensuring that the sacrifices of our nation’s servicemembers are remembered and honored.”

The trucking industry is vital in helping WAA move the mission to more than 4,200 participating locations across the country each December. National Wreaths Across America Day will be held this year on Saturday, December 14, 2024. It is a free event open to all. To support a participating location near you, click here and type in your town and/or state. For more information about WAA, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.