REMEMBER. HONOR. TEACH.

ACT FOR AMERICA HONORS VETERANS AT
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY EVENT

A MESSAGE FROM BRIGITTE GABRIEL

“Remember. Honor. Teach.” That was the theme of this year’s Wreaths Across America program, in which Americans remember and honor our fallen veterans by placing holiday wreaths at their gravesites, and teach the world about their sacrifices, reminding all of us that freedom is not free.

I am so very proud at ACT for America’s participation in the 2014 Wreaths Across America event.

ACT for America’s efforts helped achieve, for the first time ever, the goal of having enough wreaths for every headstone at Arlington National Cemetery. The final wreath was placed on the gravesite of U.S. Army Private William Christman, the very first soldier buried on the land in May of 1864.

ACT for America’s grassroots team donated hundreds of wreaths to be placed at Arlington National Cemetery. Our Director of Government Relations, Lisa Piraneo, was at the cemetery on Saturday morning to help place those wreaths, joining thousands of others – young, old, wounded veterans, active military – honoring our nation’s fallen.

As a potent reminder of the sacrifices being made today by men and women serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, Lisa witnessed grieving family members quietly sitting on folding chairs at the graves of their loved ones; veterans on prosthetic legs carrying armloads of wreaths; and freshly buried soldiers who didn’t even have their headstones placed yet. In one case, a group of seven young men all buried together and awaiting headstones. Written on a small star attached to one of their wreaths were the words “Brothers Forever.”

Those who serve in our military sacrifice their time and safety every single day of the year to preserve our freedoms. At many homes, there is an empty seat for one who is serving, or one who has made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

At ACT for America, we strive to honor our veterans every day. As an immigrant to this great country – from a land that saw its democratic freedoms brutally stolen – I especially understand, and am grateful for, the tremendous sacrifices our men and women in uniform make.

Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart, to those who participated with the ACT for America team during this year’s Wreaths Across America event – whether you sponsored a veteran’s wreath, or took the time to place one at the gravesite of a fallen hero.

And thank you for all that you do year-round to protect and defend our great nation. In doing so, TOGETHER, we strive to honor our veterans by doing our small part to make our nation safe. TOGETHER we say “thank you” for the many sacrifices they make so we can remain free. TOGETHER we “remember, honor, and teach” so that those sacrifices were not in vain.

TOGETHER, we make a difference.

I wish you a blessed and happy holiday season, during this time when we reflect on all for which we are grateful.