Wreaths Across America brings Mobile Education Exhibit to Northwest Florida

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - Wreaths Across America is traveling to communities in the Florida Panhandle this week as people across the United States mark Veterans Day.

Debbie Kellogg, a driver ambassador for Wreaths Across America, said the group’s goal is to make sure veterans are remembered.

“They say that you die twice. Once when your heart stops beating and the second time when your name is said for the last time. So, we want to make sure no one’s forgotten,” Kellogg said.

Wreaths Across America started when Morrill Worcester won a trip to Washington, D.C. and visited Arlington National Cemetery. In 1992, his wreath company had several extra wreaths left near the end of the holiday season, and he arranged for them to be placed at Arlington. Years later, others helped place wreaths at other cemeteries across the country.

The group’s mobile education exhibit tells that story. Kellogg said the group travels to different communities to raise awareness and to add more participating locations.

“We go to different communities to help bring awareness in the different communities, to help get more locations on board because we know that there’s veterans buried all over the United States that nobody knows where they’re buried,” Kellogg said.

Every wreath has 10 parts. Each part stands for something different, including strength, humility and honesty.

The nonprofit is making several stops in the Florida Panhandle this week, including Pensacola, which is home to Barrancas National Cemetery. The Kiwanis Club of Big Lagoon has helped place wreaths at the cemetery for the last few years.

Craig McDonnell of the Kiwanis Club of Big Lagoon said volunteers are working to place a wreath on every grave at Barrancas National Cemetery.

“We reverently place them and try to get a wreath on every grave at Barrancas National Cemetery. So far, we have gotten 30,000 wreaths down of the 51,000 placements. We would love to have some help,” McDonnell said.

The mobile education unit has information about the group’s mission. It also serves as a way to teach children about how people are able to enjoy the freedoms they have. Children also can welcome Vietnam War and Gulf War veterans home with a pin and challenge coin at the unit.

“6% of the population in the United States are either veterans or active duty at any particular time, so 6% of the population protects 94% of the population, therefore it’s very important to honor the veterans and keep them strong,” McDonnell said.

Wreaths Across America will make more stops in Pensacola, Niceville and Fort Walton Beach throughout the week. Local veterans said they hope the community will come out and show support.

Derrick Iozzio, an Army veteran, said he wants veterans and active-duty service members in the area to know people are thinking about them.

“It’s awesome because there’s so many veterans and active duty in this town to let them know that we’re thinking about them and the ones that gave all to this country. Take time out of your day, visit these people and sponsor them if you can,” Iozzio said.

Wreaths Across America will make the following stops in Northwest Florida throughout the rest of the week:

• Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Veterans Memorial Park Pensacola, 200 S 10th Ave., Pensacola, from 9am-3pm.
• Thursday, Nov. 12, at MISSION BBQ to kick off the annual Heroes Cup Campaign, 5140 North 9th Ave., Pensacola, from 10am-3pm.
• Friday, Nov. 13, at 3rd Planet Brewing – The Mothership, 1400 E John Sims Pkwy., Niceville, from 2pm-8pm.
• Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 14 and 15, at Eglin Air Force Base, 100 Museum Dr., Eglin, from 10am-4pm.