2017 is the fourth year that FCC has had the honor of sponsoring and transporting “Remembrance Loads” for Wreaths Across America. This year, we have two trucks, driven by FCC Veterans, involved with delivering the wreaths to cemeteries across the Midwest. The 2017 national motto for WAA is “I’m an American. Yes I am!”
- Company Driver Bobby Thurston is an Army Veteran serving in the 82nd Airborne Division based out of Ft. Bragg. Bobby will be driving in the Honor Truck Convoy that will be delivering directly to Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington VA. Bobby will be participating in the National Wreath Laying Event on Saturday, December 16th at this location.
- Company Driver James Hoffman, is an Army Veteran who served in Desert Storm/Desert Shield. James will be delivering wreathes to military cemeteries in Wisconsin and Iowa, with the final destination of Fremont NE for delivery to Memorial Cemetery for the Wreath Laying Ceremony on Saturday, December 16th.
The Fremont chapter of the Civil Air Patrol will be hosting a Wreath Laying Ceremony in Fremont, NE at Memorial Cemetery on Saturday, December 16 at 11:00 a.m. to coincide with the ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. The ceremony with veterans, active duty personnel, and local dignitaries will be held at the Wall of Honor which is located at the 23rd street entrance to the cemetery. The ceremony includes laying of ceremonial wreaths honoring each branch of the Armed Forces at the wall, presentation of the colors by the Honor Guard and concludes with a 21-gun salute and taps. The ceremony is very moving and the public is invited to attend.
Dodge County React will provide an escort for our truck from the FCC terminal to Memorial Cemetery. We are scheduled to leave FCC at 8:30 a.m. with arrival at the cemetery by 9:00 a.m. There will be a total of 1,500 wreaths to be placed on veteran’s graves. The boxed wreaths will be unloaded and staged throughout the cemetery by the Air Patrol Cadets. Volunteers are needed to place wreaths on the marked graves. If you are interested in participating you can be a part of the convoy by arriving at FCC by 8:00 a.m. Reuben Dupsky, who is a member of Dodge Country React, will be providing directions to convoy participants. Once at the cemetery, volunteers will need to gather at the Veterans Wall by 9:00 a.m. to receive instructions from the group leader.
FCC is extremely proud to be supporting the mission of Wreaths Across America. We think it is important to honor those fallen veterans, our nation’s heroes, and remember the sacrifices they made for our country. Delivering, laying wreaths, and paying tribute is just a small gesture and we are honored to be a part of it.