HEROES to Honor Deceased Veterans During National Wreaths Across America Day
On Saturday, Dec. 16, Exchange Special Emphasis Program HEROES and other Dallas-based associates will participate in National Wreaths Across America Day, a nationwide event in which wreaths are placed on the headstones of American Heroes.
“This is a national program being conducted this time of year in all 50 states,” said Senior Vice President of Real Estate Mike Smietana, HEROES’ executive champion. “It’s very appropriate for the Exchange HEROES Special Emphasis Program to help get the word out to support such a kind, inspirational endeavor.”
This is the first time that HEROES has participated in the event, which will begin with an opening ceremony at 11 a.m. Saturday at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway in Dallas, not far from Exchange headquarters.
“This is a way for us, outside of our daily work activities, to show an additional debt of gratitude to our Soldiers, Airmen and all service members,” said Corporate Policy Compliance Specialist Shalandrea Smith, a member of the HEROES group. “It’s a small thing but it means a lot to take time to honor those who serve. This is an opportunity for Exchange associates who really want to honor those who served and who gave the ultimate sacrifice.”
Dallas-Fort Worth-based associates are invited to participate and are welcome to bring family and friends. No registration is required, but volunteers are encouraged to arrive by 9:30 a.m. to improve their chances of finding a parking spot near their desired section of the cemetery. (For a grave locator that identifies cemetery sections, click here.)
For many associates, including Smith, Wreaths Across America has a personal aspect. Smith’s father, Air Force Sgt. Charles Brooks, is buried at the cemetery. She has many other military connections.
“One of my Exchange mentors is buried there, and a couple of my family members’ spouses are buried there,” she said. “This is extremely personal for me. It’s another way to give back to my family members who have served. My grandfather, his two brothers and several uncles also served. The military runs deep in my family.”
After the approximately half-hour 11 a.m. ceremony in the assembly area, volunteers will have time to return to their section of choice. Wreath-laying begins at noon. Section leaders will provide instructions for volunteers. The goal for this year is to lay 54,000 wreaths.
If you’re not in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, you can still participate in a Wreaths Across America event. For a list of participating locations, click here. If you’re unable to attend an event, you can still sponsor a wreath (or wreaths) by going here and clicking on “Sponsor Wreaths.”
“How you choose to get involved is totally up to you—sponsor a wreath, help lay them in honor of a passed veteran you may know, or just show up and help with the logistics of the day,” Smietana said. “It’s a very uplifting, spiritual experience especially at a time so close to the holidays.”
HEROES hopes to turn this into a tradition and is encouraging associates outside of Dallas-Fort Worth to participate in their own areas.
“If there is room for expansion Exchange-wide, I’m all for it,” Smith said. “I’d like to see an extension of what we’re doing at headquarters.”
Look for social-media coverage of the Dallas-Fort Worth event on Facebook, Instagram, X. If you have photos from a Wreaths Across America event, please send them to exchangepost@aafes.com and socialmedia@aafes.com. If possible, please send photos as high-res, jpeg attachments, rather than embedded in the body of an email.
For more information about Wreaths Across America, click here. To learn more about the HEROES Special Emphasis Program, click here.
