Wreaths Across America Houston Stamp

First, a little history. For a number of years Worchester Wreath Company has been placing wreaths on the headstones at Arlington National Cemetery. In 2007 a young boy in Houston was watching a TV program about the wreath laying and decided to help lay the wreaths at the Houston Veterans Cemetery. He discovered that, of course, Worchester was unable to supply such quantities of wreaths to all the military cemeteries. However they do contribute seven wreaths to all military cemeteries, both here and aborad, one for each branch of the military plus the MIA/POW’s.  Alex did not think that was fair so he and his dad decided to see what they could do. They formed Wreaths Across American Houston, got some business behind the effort, got some advertising through KHOU 11. The city of Houston very much got behind Alex’s efforts.

Each December, thousands volunteer to lay the wreaths. In 2008, over 14000 wreaths were laid, 2009 it was over 22000,  2010 over 26000, 2011 over 30000. The goal is a wreath for each of the 59000 plus grave sites. Each wreath costs $15, so that is a lot of donations—most is raised by contributions from individuals.

Since 2010, one of the photography groups that I belong to, Photowalks Houston, has organized a photographic documentation of the wreath laying. The photographs are given to WAA for their promotional use. I have photographed the wreath laying ever since. I have also gone out to document the removal of the wreaths when again thousands of volunteers help out. At a time when we can’t be terribly proud of the way our government treats it’s veterans, I can be proud of the people of Houston for the respect they show. I can be proud of Alex, his father, the Patriot Guard riders who escort the trucks carrying the wreaths to the cememtary each year, of Walmart that supplies the trucks to transport the wreaths from Maine to Texas and the thousands of volunteers that show up each December. The volunteers come in business suits, military unforms, jeans with cowboy boots and short shorts; they bring their faimilies, the grandparents, the kids in strollers--it is really a sight to behold. Some cry, some salute, some make it a party. The best of all is the kids.

This morning I received an email from WAA which had a link to their product store so I thought I would take a look. To my surprise, and honor, I discovered that they had used one of the photographs I shot in 2010 as one of the four stamp designs. If nothing else, it makes me a little happier that I got there at five in the morning to catch the sunrise. It was one of those perfect days, a little ground fog and the warn raking light.

Wreaths Across America Houston

ADDENDUM: In scanning the internet postings I see that mentions of Alex have mostly been removed. I understand that they want this to be about the laying of the wreaths, not a personality thing. I agree with that but I also am prone to want to mention what I see as good. So below is a photograph of Alex that will not identify him. Just wanted to show that he is a kid that puts his actions where is mouth is. He's the one in the bright blue shirt under the much heavier than apparently anticipated box of wreaths.