Local Sea Cadets Assist with National Wreaths Across America Day

PANAMA CITY, FL - If a tree falls in the forest and there is no one to hear it, does it make a sound? In the case of a fallen Veteran, Wreaths Across America ensures there is a sound. Wreaths Across America is an organization that remembers the fallen, honors those who served, and teaches the next generation the value of freedom. Their motto is “Remember, Honor, and Teach.”

Michael Sparks, the Senior Public Affairs Specialist with 1st Air Force at Tyndall AFB, is the local representative for Wreaths Across America. Michael coordinates National Wreaths Across America Day with local volunteers who contribute to the efforts of more than two million volunteers across the United States in over 4000 locations.

This year, National Wreaths Across America Day was held on December 16th, 2023. This involved several local cemeteries in Panama City. Two local Sea Cadet units, the Golden

Warriors of North Bay Haven and the Sea Wolves of Panama City Marine Institute, met at Oakland Cemetery to place a Christmas wreath on the grave of each deceased veteran.

ENS Perry Williams, a U.S. Navy Veteran himself, is the volunteer who leads the Golden Warrior unit at North Bay Haven and eagerly embraces this opportunity for his cadets. He is a strong proponent and spokesperson for the sea cadet experience most certainly believes teaching the value of freedom to the next generation. His own son is in the Golden Warrior unit and has matured greatly from the leadership experience of Sea Cadets and its associated organizational training.

Ian and Madeline Fulton were present with the Sea Wolves. They are volunteers who assist with the Sea Wolf unit. They are a patriotic family with a son in the Sea Wolf unit and another son attending the U.S. Naval Academy. They definitely see the value in such an activity.

Many members of the community showed up to assist as well. The goal of Wreaths Across America is to involve as many people as possible to “Honor, Remember, and Teach.” To learn more about Wreaths Across America visit https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.