NAV EX 1st QTR 2018 NavEx 1st Qtr 2018 - Draft 7a | Page 13

Wreaths ACROSS America The Auxiliary Honors Fallen Heroes Story by H W Smith, DSO-PA With Information Provided by District 8ER Pete Evans, FSO-PA, Flotilla 4-1, Thom Spagnol, SO-PA Division 7 and Terry Siler along with Shawn Fox of Flotilla 16-2 Across the hallowed fields of America’s veterans cemeteries a simple gesture serves to remind all who see it that under each cold stone there is an American hero with a family left behind. This year, U. S. Coast Guard District Eight, Eastern Region Auxiliary members helped ensure that those heroes, and their families, were remembered during the holiday season. Members of Division 4, Division 7 and Division 16 participated either with their active duty counterparts or as a part of overall wreath-laying ceremonies on their own as U.S. Coast Guard representatives. The program they participated in is a nation-wide volunteer effort called Wreaths Across America. Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day. “Remember, Honor and Teach” is the mission carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as over 1,100 additional locations in all 50 states, at sea and abroad. OR express Continued on Page 14 13