The Operation Red, White and Brave Foundation is teaming up with South Side Bee Branch School to remember and honor more veterans this year through Wreaths Across America while also impacting the next generation.
The mission of Wreaths Across America is to “Remember the fallen, honor those who served and teach our children the value of freedom.” It is carried out each year by coordinated wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as veterans cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond.
Julie’ Nelson, who is in her sixth year as the EAST facilitator at South Side, oversees the school’s involvement in Wreaths Across America. She solicits donations to purchase wreaths and students in the EAST program are involved with laying the wreaths and conducting a special ceremony held in conjunction. This year’s ceremony will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, at the Bee Branch Cemetery, located behind Bee Branch Church at 11500 Hwy 65 S.
“I hope to inspire my students to become invested in the community they live in, giving back of their time and talents,” Julie’ said. “I started having my students volunteer with WAA several years ago, even before I became an EAST teacher, and it has evolved since.”
ORWB, a First Service Bank initiative, recently donated $1,600 to purchase additional wreaths and expand the number of veterans who will be honored this year. “We applaud Mrs. Nelson and the work she has done to ensure veterans are recognized and remembered through Wreaths Across America,” said Rebecca Barnard, board chairman of the ORWB Foundation. “We are happy to support her efforts and those of her students.”
In 2022, the South Side group will place 369 wreaths in cemeteries. Last year, there were 175 wreaths in six cemeteries.
“Veterans run deep in my family,” Julie’ said, explaining that various relatives have served or are currently in the military. Among them, her husband, Michael, is a retired Marine, and her son, Garrett serves with the Army National Guard. “We are a patriotic family.”
About eight years ago, Julie’ learned about Wreaths Across America and began taking students to North Little Rock to volunteer. They made the switch to placing wreaths at local cemeteries at the request of donors and after the North Little Rock organizers opted to use artificial wreaths.
The South Side group has been placing wreaths each year at five cemeteries in Van Buren County – Bee Branch, Morganton, Hardin, Walley-Comstock and Fowler.
Julie’ said not every veteran in every cemetery in the district is covered so organizers move extra wreaths each year to a different cemetery, to honor as many veterans as possible, at least every other year or so. She added some individuals order wreaths and pick them up to place them on veterans’ graves in other cemeteries.
Julie’ said a repeat donor suggested that she contact First Service Bank and ask about support from the Operation Red, White and Brave Foundation to purchase additional wreaths. “I was hoping to receive a few hundred dollars. Amazingly, through ORWB, we were able to include two new cemeteries in and near Damascus (Spires and Martinville in Faulkner County), and honor 165 more veterans this year.”
This is the first year for Dana J. Brown, a member of the Martinville Cemetery Association, to volunteer with WAA. Like Julie’, she also has quite a few family members who are veterans or are serving in the military. Her son, Robert Z. is in the Air Force. Her husband, Robert C., is retired from the Army. His grandfather served in the Army during WWII and his great-grandfather during WWI. A cousin buried at Martinville died while serving during WWII.
“As a retired career military family, the military has always had a special place in our hearts and we understand the sacrifices they and their families have given,” Dana said. “This is just a small way we can give back to those who have given so much and show our gratitude for their sacrifices, whether they made it home safely or gave the ultimate sacrifice.”
APPRECIATION
Julie’ and Dana expressed their appreciation to the ORWB Foundation and First Service Bank for their support of the local WAA efforts.
“I think it is wonderful and a significant gesture to those who have served our country,” Dana said. “Thank you for making this happen.”
“The donation will enable us to honor more veterans that put their lives on the line for our freedom,” said Julie’. “That’s just an incredible gift.”
Julie’ also had praise for Operation Red, White and Brave and its mission to help veterans, active military and their families. “This program will help veterans who are forgotten a lot of times.”
STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
Julie’ said she is not aware of any other school that participates in Wreaths Across America like South Side Bee Branch, where enrollment is about 550 students, kindergarten through 12th grade. “I’m very fortunate my school supports my veterans causes,” Julie’ said, adding that South Side also hosts an annual Veterans Day celebration.
Two hours of community service is required for EAST students, according to Julie’, and some do that on the day the wreaths are placed. Some who have already met the two-hour commitment still participate in WAA.
As is the WAA custom, the veterans name is said as the wreath is placed with the headstone. “That’s important as we remember and honor them,” Julie’ said of saying the veteran’s name. “It’s important that we take the time to thank the veteran we are honoring.”
Julie’ said her EAST student champions – Brooklyn Cullum and Maggie Bradford – have been very involved in this year’s planning and will emcee the ceremony on Dec. 18.
Brooklyn, a sophomore, has volunteered with WAA for three years. “My Uncle Wade served in the Air Force, Uncle Danny was in the Navy, and my great-grandpa was in the Army during WWII,” she said. “Wreaths Across America is important to me because many people have died serving our country, and I want to keep their memory alive.”
Maggie, a junior, has volunteered for WAA for two years. “My great-grandpa was in WWII in the Army. He was captured and wounded while he was held as a prisoner,” she said. “One day my grandpa and those captured with him woke up and the camp had left during the night, leaving them there. They were able to go back to their camp.”
Maggie said Wreaths Across America “brings light and/or remembrance to not only those currently in war, but the veterans who have already returned, whether that be alive or sadly departed from this world.” She added, “Veterans are an important part of our history and culture. Without events like this, the right acknowledgement would not be brought to them.”
Ethan Ward, a senior at South Side, is volunteering this year for the first time for WAA. He will be one of two musicians playing “Taps” on the trumpet.
Ethan’s great uncle served in the Navy and Ethan is considering a career in the Air Force.
“I think the WAA project is a great way to honor our fallen soldiers and pay our respects to the families of those who won't be seeing their loved ones for the holidays,” he said. “This opportunity for me is not just a grade. It is a way to honor our veterans and to serve our community the best I can.”
The students also expressed their appreciation for the ORWB donation and all the gifts that helped purchase the wreaths. “They have helped impact many families and their loved ones. We appreciate their donation more than they will ever know,” Brooklyn said. “Thank you to my teacher, Mrs. Nelson, for providing us with this opportunity, and thank you to all those who have served.”
“This was a very generous donation that will help the South Side Bee Branch EAST program get much farther in our mission to decorate the graves of our fallen soldiers,” Ethan said. “It is very much appreciated.”
HOW TO HELP/LEARN MORE
For more information, visit a First Service banker or go to firstservicebank.com/orwb.
“The ORWB donation almost doubled the number of veterans we can ‘remember and honor,’ and enables us to have many more opportunities to ‘teach’ a new generation about the sacrifices our veterans made,” Julie’ said.
