This past December 16th, VMSI employees and families donated generously and also volunteered in person to place Remembrance Wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery. A whopping 246,700 wreaths are required to cover each applicable grave at Arlington (out of respect and understanding of the beliefs and traditions of the Jewish Faith there are no wreaths placed on any marker which has the Jewish Religious symbol of the Star of David). As each Remembrance Wreath is placed on a gravesite, volunteers pause, read, and say aloud the name of the veteran to thank them for their service and sacrifice.
Wreaths Across America (WAA) is a nationwide non-profit, 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to the worthy mission of remembering the fallen, honoring those who serve, and teaching our children the value of freedom. Since 2007, WAA has organized and donated yearly Remembrance Wreaths at veteran gravesites in over 1,200 locations throughout the U.S., with ceremonies at sea, and also at each of the national cemeteries on foreign soil.
In all, VMSI donated 32 wreaths to match generous employee and family donations. Numerous VMSI employees and their family members attended the wreath laying in Arlington to remember our fallen heroes. Special thanks to Zachary Konkol, Christine Mason, Malasondra Dybevik, Ann Miller, Emily Wilson, Gino Cascieri, Patricia Rice, Bruce Luchen, Kendall Jennings, Ken Konkol, Elaine Smokes, Kylene Henson, Colin Andrew, Gregory Smith, Paige Meade, Heather Earley, Rich Abbott, Matt Henson, Lacy Hogan, and Angie Dewey for their generous donations.
(Photo Credits: Heather Earley, Kylene Henson, and Emily Wilson)
