Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit in Brunswick County

 

We were very privileged to host the Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit in Brunswick County for 5 events from Thursday 3/7 thru Monday 3/11/24. 

WAA sponsorship groups that hosted the MEE included:

Oak Island Elks Lodge Veterans Committee NC0514P

Cape Fear Blue Star Mothers of America  NC0431P

Brunswick Town Chapter DAR  NC0009P

VFW Auxiliary Oak Island Post 10226  NC0542P

The weather cooperated every day except Saturday morning but the rain cleared and we had many visitors that day. 

The count from the WAA Ambassadors of visitors was approximately 380.

-77 Vietnam Era Veterans signed the Honor Wall and received the Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin if not previously received.

 Many of us were honored to be asked to pin a Vietnam Veteran. 

 All 77 were presented with a beautiful challenge coin from Wreaths Across America on behalf of the Sponsorship Group hosting. 

-12 Surviving Spouses of Vietnam Veterans also received the Deceased Vietnam Veteran Surviving Spouse Lapel Pins. 

-3 children participated in the pinning ceremonies and helped write the thank you cards for Veterans going on the Honor Flight. 

-75 Thank you notes were written for the Veteran Mail call on the Honor Flight with many more promised to be sent to us. 

We also added a new WAA Sponsorship group-American Legion Auxiliary Unit 454 Oak Island  NC0575P after the event.

We were lucky to meet all 4 of the MEE Ambassadors during the time that the exhibit was here.  There is only one of these traveling exhibits that goes all over the country.  We were thrilled to have the opportunity to host them and look forward to hosting again in the future with interested sponsorship groups from Wilmington and Myrtle Beach that attended our events. 

We received news coverage announcing the events on WWAY TV and WRNN Radio station 99.5 out of Myrtle Beach. 

Eliot Duke, from the State Port Pilot attended the event most days taking pictures and interviewing many people.

Savanna Tenenoff from The Brunswick Beacon took pictures on 3/8. We did make the front page of the 3/14 edition. 

Continued outreach to Vietnam Veterans who were unable to attend and receive their pin include 2 at the Brunswick Veterans Coalition Meeting, 5 delivered to the Oak Island VFW Post 10226 for presentation at their next meeting and an undefined number to be presented at the Shallotte American Legion Post 550 at their meeting in April.  We have been entrusted with additional pins, certificates and commendation letters to be distributed to organizations for presentation to Vietnam Veterans. Please let us know if you need these.

The mission of Wreaths Across America, To Remember, Honor and Teach was met in many ways while the MEE was here. 

Quite a number of wreaths were sponsored to Remember those who have passed. Many Veterans and their families were Honored and thanked for their service. Many visitors scanned the QR code for the Teach program available for educators. A personal goal to have children participate in the exhibit was met as well as educating the general public about the WAA mission.

If you would like the individual numbers for your event, please let us know and we will get them to you.  

With thanks and gratitude for all of your help and support,

Mary Jo Schnepf 

Cape Fear Blue Star Mothers, Oak Island Elks Lodge #2769 Veterans Committee

Carl Schnepf

Oak Island Elks Lodge #2769 Veterans Committee 

Vietnam Veteran received a pin and certificate shown below from our Blue Star Mother who arranged the entire 5 day event in Brunswick Town, NC.

Inside the Mobile Education Unit is a movie theater seating approximately 24 people. There are 3 videos shown about Wreaths Across America, and how the wreaths are made by Morril Worcester who is the WAA founder. 

                                          

                   

The rain didn’t dampen the spirits of those who turned out for the Wreaths Across America event at Southport today. So thankful for the veterans who showed up, especially men like Tom who was given a special Vietnam veteran pin. Thanks to our Gold Star families and our Blue Star families who also participated. You make all the difference! And of course, our DAR daughters who are always so faithful.

Photos below of our Brunswick Town DAR members who helped on Saturday when the truck was at Walmart from 10:00 until 4:00 and our Blue Star Mother in the center top photo who arranged the wonderful event.

On the right side of this slide you will see a QR Reader code. If you open up your QR Reader code on your phone you will be able to view all of the movies that were shown in the movie theater.

DAR blog manager is holding a tablet for WAA that is available at the online store.

                                         

The beautiful Christmas ornament and also be purchased on the online WAA store.

The two gentlemen in the photo above have the pleasure of driving the Wreaths Across America Mobile unit around the United States.