Never Forgotten. The Mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach is a Mindset


Wreaths Across America’s Executive Director Karen Worcester and Chairman of the Board, Wayne Hanson, recently gave us all cause to stop and consider the organization’s mission. Remember our fallen heroes, honor those who serve, and teach younger generations the value of freedom. They led by example and gave everyone associated with the organization a reason to be deeply honored to belong to a “family of patriots.”

We often say it’s not just the mission for a one-day annual event, rather a mindset to support those who served and their families.

This is what happened, in Karen’s words:

“Today, Chester Kulak was buried at Acadia National Cemetery. This probably doesn’t mean much to most but let me share a brief story.

 Several months ago, we got a call at Wreaths Across America. The woman on the phone was crying. She was calling from a nursing home. A WWII veteran had died in the home. There was no one to call. The undertaker would not take him without $1500. His lawyer decided his outstanding bill would deplete any funds he had. He had passed hours before.

 When the receptionist told me, I felt sick. Someone suggested she call us. I immediately called our Chairman, consulted the executive board and Chester was taken to be cremated as soon as we gave the undertaker his money. His family was eventually located and informed.

 When Chester’s remains were ready, our own Wayne C. Merritt retrieved them. Wayne placed them in his office and respectfully kept them until the cemetery finally opened and his turn for burial came up.

Today, he was buried in Acadia National Cemetery. This is the national cemetery sitting on land my family donated.

His remains were carried past Morrill’s Mile of Flags, and a military funeral was carried out. My grandson Miles was part of the honor guard.

                

Although the casket flag was presented to Morrill to place at the WAA museum, it is Wayne Merritt who saw to it that this man got a special burial. There was much learned from our lives being touched by this veteran’s passing.

We at WAA and The Worcester family were humbled to be part of the service. We don’t know this man’s life story. But we do know that he wore the uniform and served to protect us. Today we say his name.

Chester Kulak. Remember. Honor. Teach.”

Lt. Colonel Wayne Merritt is a Vietnam veteran, member of the Maine Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Wreaths Across America.