Local CAP Squadron To Help Honor Veterans

Trail of Tears Commander, Maj Darryl Spurlock, lays a wreath on his uncle's grave at the 2009 Wreaths Across America ceremony at Bloomfield.

2010 will mark the 19th anniversary of Worcester Wreath Company donating wreaths to adorn the headstones of our Nation's veterans at veteran's cemetaries throughout the nation and around the world. In addition to 15,000 wreaths destined for Arlington National Cemetary in Virginia, Worcester Wreath will again donate seven ceremonial wreaths to over 410 State, National and local cemeteries across the Country. 2010 also marks seven years that the Civil Air Patrol has helped laying these wreaths.

Founded in December 1941, just one week before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the Civil Air Patrol operates as an all-volunteer civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force. Organized with over 65,000 members nationwide in 52 wings (each of the 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia), the CAP is charged with a mission to "serve America" through Homeland Security, Disaster Relief, Emergency Services and by developing our Nation's youth in Cadet Programs and informing our citizens about the importance of aerospace education. The Trail of Tears Composite Squadron serves the southeastern part of Missouri and meets every Thursday night at the Fruitland Community Church on Hwy 61 in Fruitland.

With roughly 50% of the Civil Air Patrol membership made up of Cadets 12-18 year olds, participation in the Wreaths Across America program is seen as an opportunity for cadets to learn and integrate more about our Nation's past history, current events, and the future. Many officers of Civil Air Patrol are veterans themselves and are honored to participate in this remembrance project.

The Trail of Tears Composite Squadron's goal is to one day see every veterans grave in Missouri covered to honor every veteran during the holidays.

Sponsorships are $15 each. Proceeds place a wreath at one of the participating cemeteries; help support this effort by sponsoring a wreath. Please note that all sponsorships are sent directly to the location and no wreaths are sent to the individuals purchasing sponsorships.

The Trail of Tears Composite Squadron is assigned to the Missouri State Veterans' Cemetery in Bloomfield, MO. Their group ID number is MOCAP127 and the cemetery ID number is MOSVCB. You can donate online at www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org or you can mail your check payable to Wreaths Across America TM to PO Box 256 Harrington, ME 04643. The deadline date to donate for this year is November 29th.

If you have any questions please call 207-483-2039. The Wreaths Across America Ceremony will be held Saturday, December 11 at 11am CST at the Missouri State Veterans' Cemetery in Bloomfield. All are welcome to attend. The Trail of Tears Composite Squadron hopes that you will be able to help us REMEMBER -- HONOR -- TEACH by sponsoring a wreath.

For more information about the Trail of Tears Composite Squadron and the Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol you can go to www.mocap127.com.