Wreaths Across America - Page 3

MaggieMack · ‎10-01-2014

@aproudmom wrote:
Thank you Lila Belle. This will sound bad, but as a Gold Star Mother, I can't image comparing honoring our fallen to buying a can of dog food. Looking at all the wreaths at the cemetaries is doing something for the living. It shows people like me that others do care. It definetly helps the living, more than you can imagine.

@aproudmom, I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for your loved one's selfless service to our country. It is an honor to remember them, if only symbolically, because we know how much love you carry in your heart for them. Nothing can fill the hole that forever remains. May you feel the blessings that are being sent to you and your loved ones.

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. - Aesop

aproudmom · ‎08-16-2010

@MaggieMack wrote:
@aproudmom wrote:
Thank you Lila Belle. This will sound bad, but as a Gold Star Mother, I can't image comparing honoring our fallen to buying a can of dog food. Looking at all the wreaths at the cemetaries is doing something for the living. It shows people like me that others do care. It definetly helps the living, more than you can imagine.
@aproudmom, I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for your loved one's selfless service to our country. It is an honor to remember them, if only symbolically, because we know how much love you carry in your heart for them. Nothing can fill the hole that forever remains. May you feel the blessings that are being sent to you and your loved ones.

Thank You. I know it may seem like nothing to some, but the wreaths mean alot to us.

Lila Belle · ‎01-24-2013

Aproudmom, I am so very sorry for your loss. Be assured that a grateful nation honors the sacrifice and service of your loved one. The placing of a wreath is just a small gesture to honor your child for answering the call of duty, honor and country that only a few feel compelled to do.

Stray · ‎04-20-2013

@151949 wrote:
It does something very special for the families who have lost their young men and women in these terrible wars. It is NOT just decoration!!! It says that we the people of the USA appreciate the sacrifice and are grateful for it. If it is your loved one -- it makes a huge difference.

I agree....my Dad is in a military cemetery and I see the flags on display all of the time on the graves and the beautiful wreaths at Christmas and it is stirring. The wreaths say "we have not forgotten" It is not only that they gave their lives for our basic freedoms but these families gave their most precious gift, their children.....to say the wreaths are "decorations" does a disservice to those who were the best of humankind and their families that loved them. it is meaningful to us.

Stray · ‎04-20-2013

@aproudmom wrote:
@151949 wrote:
It does something very special for the families who have lost their young men and women in these terrible wars. It is NOT just decoration!!! It says that we the people of the USA appreciate the sacrifice and are grateful for it. If it is your loved one -- it makes a huge difference.
Thank You. My husband and I will be at Arlington that day along with about 30,000 others. Our son is buried there. These are not decorations! Find out what cemetery in your area is participating. All Wreaths Across America events are on December 12th. Also, you can buy one wreath for yourself and donate one the way they sell them. They are still a little short I think for covering all of Arlington.

Your online name is perfect. Your son was special and so are you. God Bless you!

hckynutjohn · ‎06-15-2015

@MaggieMack wrote:
I just finished watching a news piece on this 501(c)3 organization that places wreaths on all the graves of servicemen and women at Arlington National Cemetary, as well as other national cemeteries around the country. They said they were about 30,000 short yet this year for the Arlington location, I think the total graves they decorate there is 200,000 plus. It costs $15 for one wreath, and goes up in multiples from there. I was moved to participate in this worthy cause. They gave everything for our freedom.
WreathsAcrossAmerica dot org

I also saw this on the news yesterday. Thank you for posting this information and hopefully this too will help this organization meet their goal. So many gave so much for our freedoms and deserve so much more from all of us.

hckynut(john)

hckynut(john)

Stray · ‎04-20-2013

@aproudmom wrote:
Thank you Lila Belle. This will sound bad, but as a Gold Star Mother, I can't image comparing honoring our fallen to buying a can of dog food. Looking at all the wreaths at the cemetaries is doing something for the living. It shows people like me that others do care. It definetly helps the living, more than you can imagine.

ITA....I am an animal lover and support many animal charities. And, in no way is there a comparison; just plain mean. We are talking humans who made the ultimate sacrifice and continue to do so today. A memorial wreath is not a decoration. It is symbolic because it means we care, we don't forget, we are thankful, respectful and are a nation of loving, caring people who understand the sacrifice made by that person and their families. I have multiple family members who are recipients of these wreaths and it means something to me. This is done for the living! Not as suggested for those who have died!

Lila Belle · ‎01-24-2013

Greenhouse, I'm sorry for your loss as well.

stevieb · ‎03-10-2010

@chrystaltree wrote:
The wreaths are decoration and while I understand the sentiment, I think I want my holiday donation to do something, for the living. $15 buys a lot of canned goods for food pantries. Animal shelters always need pet food too.

I agree. That's a lot of money spent on wreaths that in a few short weeks will be mulch, at best. It seems that if veterans issues are near and dear to the heart, a donation to a veteran's relief organization does more long-term good and isn't merely a gesture. At the end of the day, though, we all decide how best to manage our charitable donations. Mine tend to go to help address other sorts of concerns, and yes, the needs of animals is one of them.

I'd like to add that while understanding the keen loss experienced by some and the strength of conviction conveyed by others I'd hope things here do not degenerate into antipathy, which would only serve to derail this thread. Most of us probably see this program as a worthy endeavor, but pretty clearly most of us don't have unlimited funds to donate, and the expression by some that they'd prefer donations be used to good benefit in other areas shouldn't be cause for rancor. With all due respect, some are merely saying they'd prefer their dollars be used as a direct source of help rather than for a symbolic gesture, even one that makes those who have experienced loss feel better...

In my pantry with my cupcakes...

Stray · ‎04-20-2013

@stevieb wrote:
@chrystaltree wrote:
The wreaths are decoration and while I understand the sentiment, I think I want my holiday donation to do something, for the living. $15 buys a lot of canned goods for food pantries. Animal shelters always need pet food too.
I agree. That's a lot of money spent on wreaths that in a few short weeks will be mulch, at best. It seems that if veterans issues are near and dear to the heart, a donation to a veteran's relief organization does more long-term good and isn't merely a gesture. At the end of the day, though, we all decide how best to manage our charitable donations. Mine tend to go to help address other sorts of concerns, and yes, the needs of animals is one of them.

I'd like to add that while understanding the keen loss experienced by some and the strength of conviction conveyed by others I'd hope things here do not degenerate into antipathy, which would only serve to derail this thread. Most of us probably see this program as a worthy endeavor, but pretty clearly most of us don't have unlimited funds to donate, and the expression by some that they'd prefer donations be used to good benefit in other areas shouldn't be cause for rancor. With all due respect, some are merely saying they'd prefer their dollars be used as a direct source of help rather than for a symbolic gesture, even one that makes those who have experienced loss feel better...

@stevieb Your point is well taken but the wreaths mean something to those of us who are living who lost people we love...so, I don't think it is rancor, you are hearing/reading. It is more about an unnecessary statement that need not have been posted on a thread about an organization that places wreaths on graves of those who served and ways to contribute to a cause. I donate to animal causes as well and love animals but never would equate those feelings to those I feel about families/friends I have lost and wreaths placed in memory of them. I would construe the statement as insensitive and a Gold Star Mother who lost her son was upset by the comparison and I was upset by her reaction and obvious pain. This thread was started as positive and with good intentions and derailed by that remark. We all have charities we donate to and others may not like them but charitable donations are personal and so are other's feelings about said charities. Why not start a post...."charities helping animal causes". Mulch to some is strong symbolism to others?