Wreaths Across America, Operation: Tribute At Sea. Gulf of Mexico, SW FL

12/16/2019

12/09/2019

2019 Wreaths Across America-Operation: Tribute At Sea will be private. No further information will be announced.

Our heartfelt thanks to everyone for your support and participation over the past ten years. It has been AMAZING and much appreciated!

Our local cemeteries (Coral Ridge, Fort Myers Memorial Gardens & Lee Memorial Park) could really use your support and participation this Saturday, December 14.
Please contact any of the above mentioned cemeteries for times.

REMEMBER-HONOR-TEACH
2019 theme: “Everyone plays a part”.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Thanks again and God Bless!

Respectfully,
Captain Pat

11/01/2018

It's not too late to sponsor a wreath ($15.00/ea.). Link for Wreaths Across America sponsorship form:

10/31/2018

Wreaths Across America-
Operation: Tribute At Sea year # 10 as Location Leader.
2018 honors United States Coast Guard.
Save the date - December 15, 2018
Participate at the land ceremony and/or at sea service.
Please call to let us know if you plan on participating by boat.
All vessels are encouraged to follow safety zone requirements as found on Boat US Foundation website:
https://boatus.org/study-guide/navigation/security/

12/18/2017

Wreaths Across America, Operation: Tribute At Sea -
CORRECTION to article: 1,570,000 wreaths were shipped to 1,422 Wreaths Across America locations - more photos to follow soon!
http://www.news-press.com/story/news/2017/12/16/wreath-ceremony-cape-coral-honors-gold-star-parents-their-childrens-sacrifice/951418001/

12/06/2017

Sadly, we lacked media coverage for this dedication.
This post has been shared 66 times (FL, OH, IN, TN, OR, PA, CT and many more states).
Help us Honor our Gold Star Mothers and family members not just here in SW FL, but all throughout the USA.
Thank you for sharing - Keep it going.

This is the official American Gold Star Mother’s remembrance plaque. It is made of solid bronze proudly cast in the USA at a Veteran owned foundry in Pennsylvania and operated mostly by Veterans.
It is proudly display on mahogany granite.

The plaque features the traditional gold star and the chosen official image of the Gold Star Mother’s National Monument statue. The image is of a Mother grasping the dreaded Western Union telegram in her hand. She is looking off into the distant, but cherishes the memories of her warrior child. Grief stricken, with tears flowing as a sign to us who will never know of her grief, her sacrifice.
The original poem in its entirety by Marsha B. Megehee:
A Mother's tears were shed today for a battle long ago,
Her precious gift to a warrior son, whose fate she'll never know.

Not Heroes shiny medals, for courage through their fears,
No ribboned badge of honor can match a Mother's tears.

A Mother's tears are courage, a Mother's tears are hope,
For the babe once at her bosom, led away in a captive's rope.

Her badge of honor, "Mothers Tears," more precious than the gold,
In all the shiny medals of warriors brave and bold.

A Mother's tears forever, undimmed by grief and years,
Never tarnish ... never fade, God's Diamonds ... a Mother's Tears.

This particular plaque is the 34th one cast in the USA. The original line in the poem “Her precious gift to a warrior son” is on all of previous 33 plaques. With special permission from the Author Marsha B. Megehee and sculptor, Andrew Chernak, we have had the word son changed to child. We are so proud to say that this plaque dedicated in Cape Coral, FL is the first one cast in the USA that honors both your sons and daughters.

Today and everyday, let’s remember the Gold Star Mothers and families whose children will never know their father or mother, aunt or uncle; or the husband who will never hold their newborn child; and the parents who will never see their sons and daughters again. WE MUST REMEMBER.

As we remember today, we dedicate this American Gold Star Mother’s Plaque to honor our Gold Star Mothers and their families not only here in SW FL, but Nationwide whose loved one made the ultimate sacrifice defending the United States of America. 🇺🇲️

God Bless!

12/04/2017

Thank you Cape Coral Florida Life-Today!

12/03/2017

The American Gold Star Mother's Memorial was unveiled today @ Four Mile Eco Cove Park, Cape Coral, FL.
Fifteen Gold Star Mothers and their families were present with over 200 other attendees.

A Proclamation by Cape Coral Mayor, Joe Coviello did hereby recognize December 2, 2017, as GOLD STAR MOTHER’S DAY in the City of CAPE CORAL, LEE COUNTY, FL, and he called this observance to the attention of all our citizens.

The memorial was covered with fifteen white throw blankets each having a GOLD STAR embroidered on it. As each throw was removed from the memorial, it was presented to each GOLD STAR Mother by CH (COL) Larry Ager, Retired Army. Gulf Eagle Division Sea Cadets followed by offering a yellow rose to that Mother. With the "unveiling" complete, Blue Star Mother, Joan Colosimo placed a Wreaths Across America wreath in the shape of a star with a gold bow on the memorial.

An extremely memorable day for all in attendance.

May God bless all Gold Star Mothers and their families here in SW FL and Nationwide.

The support from the community was overwhelming to assist with the completion of this memorial.

HEARTFELT THANKS to all for your support!

AMERICAN GOLD STAR MOTHER’S MEMORIAL SPONSORS
Veteran’s Midpoint Memorial Charitable Trust – assistance @ Park
Coral Ridge Funeral Home & Cemetery- Assistance w/Granite
City of Cape Coral, (Parks & Rec & Building Dept.)
Christopher J. Lee Architects, Inc.
GSD Construction (Ryan)
Clark & Clark Concrete
Bay Pavers
Gulf Coast Crane Rental
SuEllen’s Floral Company
USA Dance Chapter 6049, SW FL
American Legion, Post 136, Pine Island
American Legion Riders, Post 90, Cape Coral
Vietnam Veterans of America, N. Ft. Myers
Fort Myers Memorial Gardens
Vietnam Brotherhood, Bravo Company, Ft. Myers Beach
Greater Tampa Bay Blue Star Mothers
Mullins Memorial Funeral Home
Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association, Ft. Myers
Trebing Tile
Fraternal Order of Eagles, Cape Coral
Mission BBQ
Tim Jardas
Bo McCormick
Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Trotter
Brenda Cook
Henry “Groovy” Olney
John Crowley
Paul Slowey
Tim & Donna Stottle
Diane Disher
Lori Grasso
Lisa Lupari
Patti & Steve Brasda

08/07/2017

What does our 2017 theme, 'I'm an American! YES I am!' mean to you? Find out more about where it came from here: http://buff.ly/2uJgYXY

07/05/2017

Happy 4th of July

05/28/2017

For those who fought for Freedom
We gather here today
To pay respect and honor
On this Memorial Day

For those who died for others
That all men might be free
The pride of our great Nation
The sons of Liberty

For all the sons and daughters
Who heard their Nation's call
For all the missing Heroes
On the Vietnam Wall

For all the weeping fathers
Who gave this land their own
For mothers who rocked the cradles
Of great Heroes that we've known

For those with "Pale Blue Ribbons"
For our Sailors who rest at Sea
Remember this Memorial Day
FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!

Author: Marsha Burks Megehee©1999