Civilizations around the world have been celebrating the start of each new year for at least four millennia. Today, most New Year’s festivities begin on December 31 (New Year’s Eve), the last day of the and continue into the early hours of January 1 (New Year’s Day). Common traditions include attending parties, eating special New Year’s foods, making resolutions for the new year, and watching fireworks displays.
Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, the mission to Remember the Fallen, Honor those who Serve, and Teach our children the value of Freedom, is conducted by coordinating Remembrance wreath-laying ceremonies at more than 2,100 locations , including the DFW National Cemetery, in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad.
Today, a Wreaths Across America ceremony will be held at DFW National Cemetery to Remember and Honor our veterans through the laying of Remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country’s fallen heroes.
REMEMBER our veterans that served and are serving America, HONOR the fallen veterans, and TEACH our youth about the service and sacrifice of our veterans and families.
Dec. 13 is the birthday of the National Guard. On this date in 1636, the first militia regiments in North America organized in Massachusetts. Based upon an order of the Massachusetts Bay Colony’s General Court, the colony’s militia was organized into three permanent regiments to defend the colony better. Today, the descendants of these first regiments – the 181st infantry, the 182nd infantry, the101st Field Artillery, and 101st Engineer Battalion of the Massachusetts Army National Guard – share the distinction of being the oldest units in the U.S. military. Dec. 13, 1636, thus marks the beginning of the organized militia, and the birth of the National Guard’s oldest organized units is symbolic of the founding of all the state, territory and District of Columbia militias that collectively make up today’s National Guard.
Even though it’s not a federal holiday, the birthday of the U.S. National Guard is an important event to note. The National Guard is the oldest military organization in America. Its members serve during times of war and emergency. Take time to honor those who have protected our country for centuries.
Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, the mission to Remember, Honor and Teach is conducted by coordinating remembrance wreath-laying ceremonies at more than 2,100 locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad.
The American Legion Post 178 will again actively participate in this year’s Wreaths Across America Ceremony and assist with the placement of 48,000 wreaths at the DFW National Cemetery on December 18. In addition to this event, post members will assist with wreath truck unloading on December 17 and wreath removal on January 15, 2022. Post 178 has participated in the national program since it was chartered in 2014.
In many homes, there is an empty seat for one who is serving or one who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Our service members sacrifice their time and safety every day of the year to preserve our freedoms.
REMEMBER our veterans that served and are serving America, HONOR the fallen veterans, and TEACH our youth about the service and sacrifice of our veterans and families.
Each year on Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor Survivors, veterans, and visitors from all over the world come together to honor and remember the 2,403 service members and civilians who were killed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. An additional 1,178 people were injured in the attack, which permanently sank two U.S. Navy battleships (the USS Arizona and the USS Utah) and destroyed 188 aircraft.
On Aug. 23, 1994, the United States Congress designated Dec. 7 as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Every year, remembrance events are held at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, culminating in a commemoration ceremony on Dec. 7.
Members of the Nelson Middle School Junior Honor Society honored American Legion Post 178 veterans by presenting them a fifty-foot banner of poppies, saying “NMS Loves Veterans.” More than 1,325 poppies were constructed by students in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. The idea for the banner was conceived by National Junior Honor Society members who wanted to find a way to involve students in honoring veterans.
Elizabeth Mulroney, Junior Honor Society sponsor, accompanied the students. During the presentation, the students recited the meaning of Respect, Integrity, Service, and Excellence – the school’s motto. Ms. Mulroney said, “The students were excited to present the banner to honor Post 178 veterans on behalf of the entire student body.” Vice Commander Ed Reed accepted the banner on behalf of the post’s members.
The banner will continue to honor veterans when it is given to the veterans that reside at the Clyde W. Cosper Texas State Veterans Home in Bonham, Texas. Post 178 annually holds a donation drive for its more than one hundred elderly veterans. Former Post 178 Chaplain John Allen, Tim Schmidt, and Marty Martel will deliver the banner and donations in early December…just in time for Christmas.