FORT WALTON BEACH In the crisp air of a sun-splashed Saturday morning, volunteers spread silently across the grounds of Beal Memorial Cemetery to lay wreaths at the graves of the more than 1,700 veterans buried there.
The morning marked the inaugural year for local participation in Wreaths Across America, an initiative to honor and remember the nation s military veterans.
Wreaths Across America traces its beginnings to 1992, when volunteers placed a truckload of wreaths donated by Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine, on graves at Arlington National Cemetery. From there, Wreaths Across America has become a nonprofit organization that also teaches school, scout, civic and other groups about American veterans.
Tallahassee Purple Heart recipient selected to be honored by national project
and last updated 2020-12-17 14:07:34-05
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) â A Tallahassee Purple Heart recipient has been chosen to be one of the nationâs 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project Honorees.
U.S. Army Colonel Washington Sanchez (Ret.) of Tallahassee, a Vietnam War veteran, was chosen by the Purple Heart Honor Mission on Thursday to represent fellow Purple Heart heroes as Floridaâs representative at a multi-day tribute to the courage and sacrifice of Americaâs combat wounded.
The Purple Heart Patriot Project is a program of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission. The all-expense-paid trip includes visits to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, historic Washingtonâs Headquarters, a special tour of the newly renovated National Purple Heart Hall of Honor and other tributes to service.