Sheila Chapman and Chris Lombardo joined us today to provide more information about the Wreaths Across America program and especially the efforts in the Kittery community. Several club members have participated in placing the wreaths the last couple of years and as the pastor of 2nd Christian Congregational UCC Church Brad has officiated for the annual event.
Sheila has been the lead (Officially now titled "Volunteer Location Coordinator") volunteer for the local effort since 2008 when he project started. The tenets of the program are Remember-Honor-Teach. The goal is to lay a wreath annually on the graves of all individuals who were veterans to honor and remember their service and to teach the next generations about those who have made those sacrifices.
Chris Lombardo and Sheila L. Chapman of Kittery's Wreaths Across America Program
Sheila was there in 2008 when a wreath supplier inquired on what to do with several thousand excess wreaths, and the idea of laying them on veterans graves was started. From the first trip to Arlington the practice has spread across the country. The program is in all 50 states and overseas, claiming programs at 4225 sites overall. Kittery last year laid approximately 800 wreathes at the 6 formal cemeteries with known veterans in town. Wreath #1 comes to Kittery in recognition of Sheila's role from the beginning.
The wreaths now cost about $17 each, transportation is donated by truckers and the truck companies. fund raising is pretty much word of mouth. The local organization is Sheila, Chris and a group of other volunteers. fund raising normally starts in November. The number of veteran's graves grows as the individuals are identified, and the current need is about 1100.