Nation's First Perpetually Lit Christmas Tree to Honor Service Men and Women

July 9th Lighting in Bar Harbor, Maine Will Include WWII Battle of the Bulge Veterans and Commemorate Giving "The Christmas They Never Had"

BAR HARBOR, Maine, June 27, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today Wreaths Across America announced the highlight of its July 9th Gala Event in Bar Harbor will be the lighting of a perpetually lit Christmas Tree to honor all servicemen and women - past, present, future and regardless of creed or religion - who find themselves away from family and friends during the holidays.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101119/DC05454)

The lighting of the Tree and theme of giving "the Christmas they never had" was inspired by 86-year-old veteran Sir Stanley Wojtusik, a WWII prisoner of war and survivor of the Battle of the Bulge.

The evening ceremony will be attended by Wojtusik and other Battle of the Bulge veterans as well as active and retired service men and women from around the country.  Also attending the ceremony will be Molly Morel, President of the American Gold Star Mothers, a national organization of mothers who have lost a son or daughter in service of our Country. The USO's Liberty Bells singing group and others will be providing entertainment.

"This will be the only commemorative installation of its kind," said Karen Worcester, Executive Director of Wreaths Across America, the organization that conceived the idea and set the logistics in motion that will culminate in the July 9th event. "Our organization has an important mission of teaching our youngest generation about the sacrifices our military men and women have made. Using a symbol as recognized as a Christmas tree to communicate that these heroes are people with names and families is important. Wreaths Across America's goal is to teach not about death but about lives sacrificed to preserve our freedoms. That is what makes the lighting of the tree unique."

The plaque to the dedicated tree will read: "The Christmas They Never Had. Wreaths Across America dedicates this perpetually lit tree in honor of those men and women who in service to our Country, were separated from loved ones during the holiday season. Regardless of religious beliefs or creed their sacrifice must always be remembered. July 9, 2011."

Just prior to the tree lighting, the organization will also hold its first annual 'Wreaths Across America Gala' to recognize invited honorees as well as donors and sponsors.  New donors or sponsors who wish to attend or sponsor veterans to attend the gala reception and dinner can visit www.waagala.org.

If you'd like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Karen Worcester ~ Executive Director of WreathsAcrossAmerica.org call Toll-Free: (877) 385-9504 or email [email protected]

Contact:
WreathsAcrossAmerica.org
Karen Worcester ~ Executive Director
v: (877) 385-9504
e: [email protected]
w: www.wreathsacrossamerica.org or at www.Facebook.com/WAAHQ

Wreaths Across America™ (WAA) is a national non-profit organization that has grown quickly to encompass over 500 participating locations and 160,000+ volunteers around the Country.

The Wreaths Across America's mission is to Remember, Honor, and Teach. Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve including their families who sacrifice, and Teach our children the cost of the freedoms we enjoy each day. It is our shared belief that...

'The nation which forgets its defenders will soon be forgotten.' Calvin Coolidge

WAA pursues its mission with nation-wide wreath-laying events amid the holiday season, and year-round educational outreach inviting all Americans to appreciate our freedoms and the cost at which they are delivered.

SOURCE Wreaths Across America