Riverside Council hears about Wreaths

A special presentation of Wreaths Across America program was presented Monday to the Riverside Council. by Local Spokesperson Michelle Ruess. She introduced Le Ann and Mike Tyson from Iowa City who made a special slide presentation to give viewers a feeling for the extent of the program. Mayor Bill Poch stated it was late but Riverside could possibly put something together under Travel and Tourism to help.
The Wreaths Across America is designed to place wreaths on the graves of all combat veterans. All branches of services are honored Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and the POW-MIA.
The organization began more than 17 years ago when Worcester Wreath Company began a tradition of placing wreath on the headstones of the Nation’s fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery for the holiday season. Since the, Worcester Wreath has donated 90,000 wreaths which have been placed by volunteers in a wreath-laying ceremony each December
Morrill Worcester, 12, a Bangor Daily News paper boy won a trip to Washington D.C.. It was a trip he would never forget it made an indelible impression on him , especially the trip to Arlington Cemetery In later life he recognized his success as a businessman was made possible by the enormous and ultimate sacrifice of this nations veterans.
By December of 2008, 350 participating locations held Wreaths Across America ceremonies overseeing the placement of 105,764 wreaths including 11,000 wreaths at the Arlington National Cemetery and at cemeteries in 24 countries.
The first WAA location in Iowa began in 2006 at the National Cemetery in Keokuk, and in 2007, the second project in Iowa was started by RE/MAX Real Estate Center and Gay and Ciha Funeral Services. In 2007 130 wreaths were placed by 2008 350 veterans headstones were honored with a wreath. More information can be obtain by e:mailing LeAnnTyson@msn.com or calling 319 430 1187.