EXHIBIT HONORING VETERANS BOUND FOR WILDOMAR

Wreaths Across America mobile tour features films, stories saluting service

A mobile exhibit that recognizes the contributions of military veterans and active-duty personnel from local communities will be making its way to Wildomar this weekend.

The Wreaths Across America “Mobile Education Exhibit” is slated to arrive in Southwest Riverside

County on Saturday. The exhibit, which will be at the Lake Elsinore/Wildomar Elks Club No. 249, 33700 Mission Trail, will be open to the public from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday.

According to the WAA Campaign, the traveling exhibit will make a total of 11 stops throughout California over a monthlong span, but only one stop will be in Riverside County, hosted by the Luiseno Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

“The goal of the Wreaths Across America exhibit is to bring community together and teach patriotism while remembering the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes,” campaign Executive Director Karen Worcester said.

“However, over the last year, in light of the current health crisis, we feel this exhibit has taken on even more meaning by providing the opportunity for people to safely participate in something that is both educational and inspiring, while supporting and giving back to the communities it visits.”

The Mobile Education Exhibit will feature short films about men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as stories of local servicemen and women, with a special emphasis on Vietnam veterans.

“All veterans, active-duty personnel, their families and local community members are encouraged to visit, take a tour and speak with WAA representatives and volunteers,” according to a campaign statement.

The Wreaths Across America nonprofit was formed in the 1990s based on a voluntary effort by the Harrington, Maine-based Worcester Wreath Co., which began donating surplus wreaths to be placed at Arlington National Cemetery during the holiday season.

That gesture turned into a yearly tradition, eventually expanding to multiple states, involving members of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars placing wreaths. In the mid-2000s, with the help of the Civil Air Patrol, ceremonies were formalized and scheduled for specific days in December.

Now CAP organizes wreath placements at more than 2,500 cemeteries nationwide, including at the largest national cemetery on the West Coast — Riverside National Cemetery.

Information about the campaign is available at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.