04 Apr 2022 Wreaths Across America exhibit in Conway April 19

CONWAY — Cadron Post Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, will sponsor the Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, on the parking lot of Antioch Baptist Church, 150 Amity Road, in Conway. There is no admission charge and the public is invited.

Social distancing, sanitation and COVID-19 safety procedures will be in place to protect the health of all visitors in accordance with the CDC’s recommendations for large gatherings.

All veterans, active-duty military and their families as well as local school groups and area community members are invited and encouraged to visit, take a tour and speak with WAA representatives and volunteers. 

Wreaths Across America is the nonprofit organization best known for placing wreaths on veterans’ headstones at Arlington National Cemetery. However, in 2021, the organization placed more than 2.4 million sponsored veterans’ wreaths at 3,100 participating locations nationwide, including those in Arkansas.

“The goal of the Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit is to bring community together and teach patriotism while remembering the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes,” said Karen Worcester, executive director, Wreaths Across America. “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 National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is a WAA corporate sponsor, specifically supporting the WAA Mobile Education Exhibit as it travels across the country. DAR is a volunteer women’s service organization with more than 185,000 members, who seek to honor their revolutionary ancestors and promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism in their communities. The partnership between DAR and WAA helps to ensure communities across the United States learn the indelible mark our veterans have on our country and the value of honoring their sacrifices.

Cadron Post Chapter Regent Kimberly Jones said the missions of the two organizations are similar.

“NSDAR promotes historic preservation, patriotism and education,” Jones said. “WAA’s mission is remember … honor … teach.”

Visitors to the April 19 event will have an opportunity to sponsor wreaths as well. Jones said in 2021, 23 Arkansas DAR chapters were registered group sponsors, sponsoring 1,180 wreaths in Arkansas, which were placed in cemeteries across the state including the Little Rock National Cemetery, Fayetteville National Cemetery, Fort Smith National Cemetery and Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery at Birdeye. Cadron Post chapter sponsored 62 wreaths.

For more information on the April 19 event, contact Cadron Post Chapter Registrar Carol Rolf, 501-269-2293; please leave a message.