Group honoring vets at Cd'A cemeteries
COEUR d'ALENE - Civil Air Patrol cadets are enlisting the community to assist them with the Wreaths Across America project to honor veterans.
The Coeur d'Alene squadron of the youth program has sold sponsorships for about 200 wreaths to honor veterans at the three Coeur d'Alene cemeteries, but it hopes 1,083 are sold for each veteran before the orders are due on Thanksgiving.
"We set a lofty goal," said Tony Woltz, deputy commander for the cadets. "Wreaths Across America's message is: 'Remember, Honor, Teach,' and we're completely behind that. The Civil Air Patrol is big into teaching our cadets and other kids about patriotism, honoring veterans and freedom, so this falls into our lap.
"We want to honor our veterans over the holidays."
Wreath sponsorships are $15 each and can be made at the Coeur d'Alene parks department, Coeur d'Alene police station or visiting www.wreathsacrossamerica.org. The cadets will also be selling sponsorships at the Hayden Veterans' Day parade on Saturday at 10 a.m., at the Hayden Veterans' Day ceremony at City Hall on Thursday at 10 a.m. and at the Hayden Walmart on Sunday, Nov. 14, from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The cadets receive $5 for each wreath sponsored, the remaining $10 is for veterans' outreach and education programs through the nonprofit Wreaths Across America. The Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine, donates the wreaths.
The wreath project was originally limited to state veterans' cemeteries, but the Coeur d'Alene Civil Air Patrol partnered with the program this year when it was opened to all cemeteries.
Ceremonies will be held in unison at registered cemeteries across the country on Dec. 11. Each cemetery will receive seven ceremonial wreaths for the event. The public is invited.
CAP is a civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, offering search and rescue programs, a cadet program and aerospace education. The Coeur d'Alene unit has 53 cadets and 34 senior members.
For more information on the wreath project or CAP, call 772-2531.