Oscar Mike Radio

Wreaths Across America Day, a day to honor and remember our fallen heroes took place on December 16th, and in the spirit of understanding the immense effort that goes into this heartwarming tradition, we continue our series by interviewing Courtney, the Manager of Transportation and Industry Relations for Wreaths Across America. Courtney, a civilian with over 20 years of experience in the transportation industry, plays a pivotal role in ensuring that wreaths reach their intended destinations, covering the United States and beyond.

Courtney's role involves coordinating with over 400 partner organizations, each with a unique set of logistical challenges. As we sat down with Courtney, she shed light on the dedication and hard work required to make Wreaths Across America a success.

She shared stories of the challenges they face, from unpredictable weather conditions to the sheer scale of the operation. But Courtney and her team are relentless in their pursuit of making Wreaths Across America Day a memorable and meaningful experience for all.

Beyond the logistical aspects, Courtney emphasized the emotional significance of the day. Seeing the impact on families and communities is what keeps her motivated year after year. It's not just about delivering wreaths; it's about honoring the sacrifices made by our veterans and their families.

We can't help but be grateful for individuals like her who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that Wreaths Across America Day is a heartfelt and touching tribute to our nation's heroes. Her passion for her work and her commitment to honoring our veterans make her an integral part of this cherished tradition. We salute Courtney and everyone involved in making Wreaths Across America Day a truly special and meaningful event.

Go to https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/ to learn more about the work of this amazing organization.

I recently had the privilege of interviewing Karen Worcester, the Executive Director of Wreaths Across America. This organization has a profound mission: to honor and remember our fallen veterans by placing wreaths on their graves.

The story of Wreaths Across America began in 1992 when Karen's family, who were in the balsam business, found themselves with a surplus of wreaths. They wanted to do something meaningful with them, and Karen's husband suggested placing the wreaths on graves at Arlington National Cemetery to thank and honor the fallen. This simple act of gratitude had a profound impact on them, and it became a family tradition.

In 2005, a photo of the snow-covered wreaths at Arlington went viral, leading to an overwhelming response from people wanting to participate. This led to the formation of a 501(c)(3) organization and the mission expanded to include teaching kids about the value of service and sacrifice.

Karen is particularly proud of the Teach Peace curriculum, which she developed with the help of a Gold-Star mom, Cindy Tatum. The curriculum focuses on teaching children about the characteristics of military men and women, such as courage, character, responsibility, and sacrifice.

Despite the occasional challenges, such as storms that can affect delivery, Wreaths Across America has a non-delivery rate of less than 1%. They have a dedicated team and a group of liaisons across the country who are trained year-round and help with various programs, including teaching flag etiquette.

When asked about what's next for Wreaths Across America, Karen emphasized the importance of teaching and expanding their mission. They aim to change the narrative around veterans and show that they can succeed and give back to the country. This year, their theme is "serve and succeed."

Karen explained how people can get involved and support the mission of Wreaths Across America. Individuals can volunteer at one of the 4,100 locations or sponsor a wreath through their website. The $17 sponsorship not only places a wreath but also supports other important aspects of their mission.

I want to express my gratitude to Karen for sharing this information and for her service. I also want to acknowledge Jeff Pierce for facilitating the interview and wish him a Merry Christmas.

I had an enlightening conversation with Bryon Wiebold, the Mayor of Farmersville, Texas, and a dedicated individual working in Industry Relations at Tenstreet. The discussion centered around Farmersville's unwavering commitment to supporting Wreaths Across America, a heartfelt initiative that pays tribute to the sacrifices of American servicemembers.

In the fast-paced world we live in, it's not often that we get the chance to sit down and chat with someone whose life has taken them on a unique journey—one that involves not only conquering monster trucks but also navigating the gears of life itself. Recently, I had the pleasure of talking with Bryce Kenny, the man behind the wheel of the Great Clips Mohawk Warrior Monster Truck in the Monster Jam World Tour.

Operation Homefront is an organization dedicated to supporting military families by creating strong, stable, and secure environments for them. They recognize the short-term financial hardships that military families can face and strive to prevent these from turning into long-term struggles. To shed light on Operation Homefront's vital mission and their heartwarming initiative, "Holiday Meals for Military," we're joined by Brigadier General Robert "Bob" Thomas, a distinguished Air Force veteran who has been an integral part of the Operation Homefront team since 2015.

This week, I had the privilege of speaking with Vicki Cody, a truly remarkable individual who spent 33 years as an Army wife, providing unwavering support to her husband throughout his military career. Vicki's journey is not just a testament to her enduring commitment but also a source of inspiration for countless military families around the world.

Darriel Swatts, a former cameraman in the California National Guard, discovered his own path to tranquility and camaraderie through an unexpected avenue: duck hunting.

After serving his country as a cameraman in the National Guard, Darriel Swatts transitioned back to civilian life. Like many veterans, the camaraderie and shared experiences with fellow service members were deeply missed.

Fortunately, Swatts found The Fallen Outdoors, an organization with a mission that deeply resonated with him. The Fallen Outdoors is dedicated to organizing outdoor adventures for veterans, providing them with opportunities to reconnect with nature and their comrades. The best part? These outdoor excursions come at no cost to the veterans involved.

The Fallen Outdoors provides veterans with access to such experiences, ensuring that they can enjoy the beauty of the outdoors while connecting with others who share their backgrounds and experiences. If you're a veteran or know someone who could benefit from these outdoor adventures, visit The Fallen Outdoors' website at https://thefallenoutdoors.org/new-eng... to get involved.

Whether it's duck hunting, fishing, hiking, or any other outdoor activity, this organization is committed to providing veterans with the opportunities to connect with nature and each other.

Thank you Darriel for talking with me.