New Jersey Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno today joined Brigadier General Michael Cunniff, Adjutant General of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and volunteers and affiliates of Wreaths Across America for a wreath-laying ceremony at the State House. The ceremony honors veterans and fallen service members with the theme “Remember, Honor, Teach – Don’t Say I Should Have, Say I Did!”
Lt. Governor Guadagno encouraged all New Jerseyans to remember the fallen and to thank veterans and those currently serving, as well as their families, to raise awareness of the price of freedom and national security. This event is held in anticipation of National Wreaths Across America Day on Saturday, December 13th.
“We are proud to stand again with Wreaths Across America at the State Capitol to honor our veterans and fallen service members,” said Lt. Governor Guadagno. “As we gather with our families during the holiday season, we remember all those families that will miss loved ones who have given their lives in the service of our nation or who are actively serving away from home. Today we show our support for our veterans, service members and their families who have given so much in support of our freedom.”
“Throughout our nation's history, the brave men and women of our Armed Forces have honorably and faithfully served to protect the freedoms we enjoy as Americans,” said Brigadier General Cunniff. “Today's wreath laying ensures that our past veterans and those who made the ultimate sacrifice are never forgotten.”
Wreaths Across America is a non-profit 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 coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies on the second Saturday of December with more than 1,000 local fundraising groups in all 50 states at veterans’ cemeteries and other locations.
“Wreaths Across America’s Statehouse ceremonies serve as a kickoff to a weeklong series of events designed to raise awareness and appreciation for the sacrifices of our nation’s veterans and their families,” said Karen Worcester, Executive Director of Wreaths Across America. “Today in nearly all 50 states, thousands will come together for a brief moment in the midst of the busiest time of year to say ‘Thank you’ and help share our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach.”
In 2013, 540,000 wreaths were placed at more than 900 locations across the country and overseas, including Arlington National Cemetery. These ceremonies are made possible by thousands of volunteers who organize at the local level, raise funds to sponsor wreaths and participate in the events.
The Lt. Governor’s participation in the event reaffirms the Administration’s commitment to support New Jersey’s 400,000 current veterans as well as its future veterans. This year saw the start of the New Jersey Military Installation Growth and Development Task Force, which is chaired by Lt. Governor Guadagno. Created through Executive Orders Nos. 134 and 154, the Task Force is charged with forging an effective blueprint for securing the long-term growth and viability of New Jersey’s military bases and U.S. Coast Guard installations. Over the past year, the Task Force has toured and met with the leadership of New Jersey’s military installations and held roundtables with community and business leaders in the communities surrounding the bases to develop solutions to avoid federal base realignment and closure.
For more information about Wreaths Across America, to donate or to sign up to volunteer, please visit: www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org.
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