The DAR Service for Veterans Committee encourages chapters and members to plan now to recognize those who have worn the uniform of our nation – both living and deceased – this upcoming Veterans Day.
During the VanBuren Administration, two particular nationwide programs are also being supported: Honor Flights and Wreaths Across America.
Honor Flight Missions
“The Honor Flight Network was formed in 2005 by Jeff Miller and Earl Morse with a mission of honoring our nation’s veterans by bringing them to Washington, DC to visit the memorials and monuments dedicated to their service and sacrifice. While originally focused on honoring our nation’s World War II veterans, the Honor Flight Network now also honors those who served in the Korean War, Vietnam War, intermediary operations, and in special cases of terminal illness or injury, veterans from more recent service eras. Since its formation in 2005, the Honor Flight Network has taken more than 240,000 veterans to Washington D.C. Today, the Honor Flight Network is currently comprised of over 125 hubs throughout the country dedicated to carrying out the Honor Flight mission and the Network, as a whole, serves over 22,000 veterans each year.”
After a 16-month pause in Honor Flight missions, veterans are once again taking to the skies to make the iconic trip to Washington D.C. (Be sure to check with your local hub for the current status of your local missions.) After that long hiatus, there are more veterans than ever waiting for their turn to travel to D.C. To fulfill the demand for veteran participants, Honor Flight needs funding, willing volunteers and community support. This is where DAR members, chapters, and states can lend assistance.
Here are four ways that you may support Honor Flights:
1. Conduct a fundraiser to raise money to send one veteran on an all-expense paid trip to D.C.
2. Volunteer to serve as a chaperone.
3. Attend send-offs or homecomings at your local airport.
3. Write letters for mail call.
The schedule and further instructions for your local Honor Flight hub are available on the Honor Flight webpage. Any DAR questions may be directed to National Vice Chair – Honor Flight Susan Bowman at [email protected].
Wreaths Across America
“The WAA mission to “Remember, Honor and Teach” is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 2,100 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad. We understand we have Veterans Day in the fall and Memorial Day in the spring, but our service members sacrifice their time and safety every single day of the year to preserve our freedoms. In many homes, there is an empty seat for one who is serving or one who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. There is no better time to express our appreciation than during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. We hope you will join us…to show our veterans and their families that we will not forget. We will never forget.”
It is an honor to share that with nearly 1,000 participating chapters, our National Society has become the single largest organization now supporting Wreaths Across America. In addition, the NSDAR has provided support for the organization’s mobile education unit. Last year during the midst of the Covid pandemic and virtual meetings, DAR supported Wreaths Across America (WAA) like never before. Through WAA, members found a way to be outside, see friends, stay healthy and do good work.
Here are four ways that you may support Wreaths Across America this year:
1. Sign up to become a sponsoring partner.
2. Sponsor wreaths.
3. Participate in wreath day, December 18, 2021.
4. Become a location coordinator for a new cemetery.
Additional information and instructions may be found on the Wreaths Across America website or by contacting National Vice Chair – Wreaths Across America Brenda Kaesler at [email protected].
There is another way that you may take part in the Wreaths Across America effort. In June, Mrs. VanBuren and other executives attended ceremonies to dedicate a “tipping grove” of Remembrance Trees on the Wreaths Across America acreage in Columbia Falls, Maine. The grove honors our Patriot Ancestors, and you may participate by having a “dog tag” placed on a tree in honor of your own Patriot! Every three years, Wreaths Across America will cut the “tips” from this grove for use in creating the more than 2 million wreaths that are placed on veterans’ graves across the country. There is no cost to participate in this effort, about which you can find more information here.
As you finalize your calendar for the 2021 – 2022 DAR year, please Rise and Shine for America and her Veterans by including Honor Flight Missions and Wreaths Across America, two worthwhile projects.
Photo above: Wreaths Across America founders Morrill and Karen Worcester even attended the Virtual 130th Continental Congress – via cut-outs, thanks to a sponsorship by Librarian General Cindy Sweeney.
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