The Beginning of The National Wreath Project
The wreath project began when Eric's parents started placing wreaths on his grave around Thanksgiving of 2006. Each time they visited the cemetery with a new wreath they would place the existing wreath on the grave of a neighboring Marine. Susan eventually mentioned they should purchase more wreaths to place on as many graves as possible because far too many were not being decorated. With families all over the country the couple decided to explore the possibility of purchasing as many wreaths as possible. One thing lead to another and after discussions with the Giant Food Floral Manager, the couple was able to purchase 515 wreaths and placed them with the help of a few friends and family members on Christmas Day 2006. It was at that time that the decision was made to make it an annual event and Giant Foods of Carlisle, PA. was quick to commit to supplying the wreaths at their cost and The National Wreath Project was born.
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| Don Farren and his daughter Laura were among those to help place wreaths on a rainy Christmas morning in 2006. |
People just appeared and asked to help even on Christmas morning. | The end result was encouraging even though we ran out of wreaths before section 10 was completely decorated. |
The Flag Project
In 2006 the family decided to place flags in section 10 of the Quantico National Cemetery on Memorial Day
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| It was a few days before Memorial Day 2006 that Susan and John McColley along with friend Kathy McCullough traveled to the cemetery to place flags in section 10. They were soon joined by three motorcycle riders from Ohio in town for Rolling Thunder. |
Volunteers preparing to move out. | The end result is always worth the effort. Even on a very warm day in May and a cemetery with very hard ground. |
2007: The National Wreath Project
The National Wreath project of 2007 was a huge success. For the benefit of those that were unable to attend here is a brief synopsis of the events of November 30 and December 1, 2007. On November 30th at approximately 7:00 am volunteers began to gather in the parking lot of Giant Food in Gettysburg, PA. Members of Gettysburg American Legion Post 202, Gettysburg Marine Corps League Battlefield Detachment 704, Giant Food employees, friends and supporters gathered to tie 2100 red bows on the corresponding number of Wreaths. Approximately 25 volunteers completed the task in short order. Despite the fact that many wreaths were encased in snow (they had only recently arrived from Canada) the entire job was completed in under three hours. The enthusiastic group worked so fast that it became necessary to take an extended break to wait for a late arriving news crew. The wreaths were loaded into moving pods donated by ABF Freight , the company then transported them to Quantico, VA the following day.
On Saturday, December 1st, volunteers began to gather long before the 10:00am starting time. The group was addressed by Quantico Marine Corps Base Command Chaplain, Capt. Lawrence Greenslit. Captain Greenslit’s poignant message, recalled the words of a Rabbi from the memorial service following the Marine invasion of Iwo Jima.
Karl MacDonald, Executive Director of the Quantico National Cemetery expressed his appreciation to all involved and made clear his desire to see all 21,000 graves at the cemetery with Christmas Wreaths.
The group which included volunteers from as far away as Missouri and ages from the very young to the elderly then proceeded to place the 2100 wreaths on the graves in section 8, 9 and 10. It was an emotionally charged day and one that all present will remember for years to come.
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Early arrivals on November 30th prepare area for wreath decoration |
The Marine Corps League was well represented by the Gettysburg Battlefield Detachment volunteers. Left to right Mike Rinehart, Past Commandant Wink Merry, Sgt At Arms Bill Little, Commandant Dick Billig, Stan Clark and John McColley |
Giant Food employees played a key roll in making this years project a success.L-R Dave Altland, Andy Willow, Christi Shively and Chris Chisholm look on as John McColley accepts a generous donation from Gettysburg Giant Food presented by Store Manager Colin Snyder. Not pictured Dottie Polson |
ABF Freight Systems, Inc. donated the transportation of the wreaths from Gettysburg, Pa. to Quantico, VA.
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| John McColley introduces Command Chaplain, Capt. Lawrence Greenslit to the gathered volunteers |
John and Susan McColley greet Quantico National Cemetery Executive Director, Karl MacDonald. |
Volunteers gather for photo before wreath placement |
Members of the Combat Veterans of America Motorcycle Club present John and Susan McColley with a donation to the National Wreath Project and pledge their continued support |
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| Eric’s sister, Cheryl McColley Newbanks stops to speak with a reporter from American Journal, an online magazine | Sgt Mac Foundation board members Don Farren and Stan Clark | ||
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| Gettysburg, PA., American Legion Post 202 Commander, Jim Sutton and John McColley accept donations from numerous volunteers. | |||
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2008: National Wreath Project
The 2008 wreath placement will soon be upon us. This year things will begin as usual in Gettysburg, PA but on December 4th when we will meet ( place and time to be decided at a later date) and apply the donor labels to each bow. Donor labels refer to each donation being divided by the cost of a wreath ( this year $6.99 ea) then each donor has labels print with their name and state. The standard address label is then placed on the reverse side of each bow. Visitors can then see who or what organization was responsible for each wreath
On December 5th we will meet in the parking lot of Giant Food on Natural Springs Road in Gettysburg and tie the 2500 red bows on the wreaths. Following a lunch break at the Gettysburg American Legion we will place 400 wreaths at the National Cemetery at Gettysburg .
On December 6th we will meet at the Quantico National Cemetery at 10:00 AM, then following a brief ceremony we will place 2100 wreaths in sections 8,9&10. Hope to see you there
Please click here to view a listing of National Wreath Project supporters.
The Foundation is currently working with the Command of the Wounded Warrior Barracks at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, to take 75 wounded Marines on a day trip. The Marines will be treated to a day's fishing on a charter boat, followed by a cookout of the day's catch. We are excited at the opportunity to give these men and women the chance to escape the stresses of their respective situations and simply relax for a day.
Similar events to the one taking place at Camp Lejeune are planned for Bethesda Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland and Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. Dates are to be announced.
Please check-back soon as we will be posting pictures from our program events.
A Marine Sgt. Major is currently sending regular care packages to Marines in forward areas. The Sgt. Mac Foundation is working with this individual to help get these packages and supplies out.
Please check-back soon as we will be posting pictures from our program events.
