Lily and Brown Dog Carriers Hosts Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit
Despite a light rain and stubborn gray clouds, spirits were high at our offices on Monday, June 29 as we prepared to welcome the public for a special visit from the Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit – a stunning, 48-foot-long rolling theater wrapped in patriotic red, white, and blue and emblazoned with Wreaths Across America scenes and imagery.
Lily Modeling WAA Mask
Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as at more than 1,400 veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and overseas.
As Chief Canine Officer I am proud that my company namesake, Brown Dog Carriers supports this cause and annually volunteers to help carry thousands of wreaths to honor the fallen soldiers. When Wreaths Across America invited us to host the Exhibit, I made sure that we jumped at it.
Lily in front of WAA Trailer
Meeting a Veteran
Lily in front of 48 foot Mobile Education Trailer
The Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit was created to bring local communities and our military together with education, stories and interactive connections. The Exhibit is equipped a 24-person screening room to visually tell the story of how WAA accomplishes its mission to Remember our fallen veterans, Honor those who serve, and Teach our children the value of freedom.
Lily greeting a younger visitor
With the help of the great folks at Wreath Across America we put in place social distancing, sanitation and COVID-19 safety procedures in place to protect the health of visitors. I even modeled a mask to show that we value everyone’s health and well-being who came to visit. The Exhibit welcomed a steady stream of adults, parents with children, and local veterans through the morning and into the afternoon. I really enjoyed all the attention I received. Getting to greet people and accept treats is part of my job description.
Laying a Wreath
Inside the Trailer
While it was an incredibly special day for all of us at Brown Dog, one of the most profound moments of the day was an impromptu “welcome home” for a local Vietnam Veteran who came to see the Exhibit. “Welcome home” has deep significance for Vietnam Veterans, who were denied a proper welcome upon returning home after the war. In 2017, the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act was signed into law which designated March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day
If you were unable to attend, we welcome you to enjoy some of our favorite moments from the day photographed by our own Darrell Pardy, and invite you to learn more about Wreaths Across America’s mission to Remember, Honor, Teach at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.