Wreaths Across America Sets Goal to Place 55,000 Wreaths on Grave Sites of Fallen Soldiers; Seeks Donors

November 6, 2009

HOUSTON, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The saying that everything is bigger in Texas shines through even in the way Texans show support for their fallen soldiers. In December of 2008, Wreaths Across America Houston placed a record-setting 14,400 holiday wreaths upon the grave sites of their fallen heroes, and this year their planning committee is working to raise enough funds to place over 55,000 wreaths.

This emotional celebration will take place December 12, 2009 (rain or shine) at 11:00 am at the Houston National Cemetery. The volunteers for this event are expecting 15,000 attendees.

For a limited time, Wreaths Across America is still accepting donations for this year and please consider making your donation soon. For only $15.00 that will put one more beautiful live Maine wreath to be placed on the grave site of a fallen soldier.

The keynote speaker will be a Medal of Honor recipient who will be part of the escort along with 200 corvettes from the Corvette Clubs of Houston, and 500+ motorcycles.

This bigger-than-Texas project was sparked by a father who simply wanted to answer a question for his son. Alex deMasi, now eight years old, was curious why the Houston National Cemetery didn't get all the wreaths like those laid at Arlington National Cemetery. Alex's father, Scott deMasi, wanted to help him learn about our military and what it means to be an American. The two are not alone in this endeavor; they are supported by an incredible all-volunteer planning committee, corporate donors, small companies, and thousands of individuals. With the group in place, they have set out to place a wreath on every one of the 55,000+ graves.

Although falling short of the goal for 2008, the group managed to get donations for a record-breaking 14,000 wreaths for our fallen soldiers. In a solemn escort through Houston by more than 250 motorcycles, police officers and military personnel, the 3 tractor-trailers pulled into the cemetery filled with volunteers ready to place the wreaths. The emotional event was the largest ever done in the United States and proved to be an awe-inspiring sight upon completion.

WAA Houston has been honored with an award by Leadership Houston for Leadership in Action in the Military Outreach category. The Leadership in Action Awards recognize nonprofits and corporations that have made extraordinary contributions through their programs & projects toward the betterment of life in the greater Houston Area.

For donor information, please visit: http://www.waahouston.com

About Wreaths Across America - Houston

Wreaths Across America Houston is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to honoring veterans buried at the Houston National Cemetery. Tax deductible donations are requested to fund its goal of placing a wreath at all 55,000+ gravesites. The Wreaths Across America story began over 15 years ago when Worcester Wreath Company (a for-profit commercial business from Harrington, Maine) began a tradition of placing wreaths on the headstones of our Nation's fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery during the holidays. Over that period of time, Worcester Wreath has donated 90,000 wreaths which were placed by volunteers in a wreath-laying ceremony each December. But as word spread, the mission to Remember; Honor; and Teach about the sacrifices made by our veterans has captured the hearts and minds of many communities across the Country.

    Contact Information:
    Wreaths Across America - Houston          Phone:  (281) 540-9444
    4582 Kingwood Dr., #247                   Web:  www.waahouston.com
    Kingwood, TX  77345                       E-mail:  info@waahouston.com

SOURCE Wreaths Across America