Central Pennsylvania chapter seeks to solve a different logistics challenge.

Fifteen years ago Morrill Worcester of Maine decided that all deceased veterans need to be both honored and remembered, but to do so in a way that teaches younger generations of Americans about the true meaning of freedom. Beginning with only the graves at Arlington National Cemetery, Worcester and his Worcester Wreath Company eventually expanded the effort to more than 200 participating national, state, and other cemeteries across the US and Puerto Rico.

As the annual numbers grew into the thousands, the real logistics challenge was finding enough volunteers to place a wreath at the gravesite of individual veterans. By comparison, moving those wreaths from Maine to the cemeteries was comparatively easy. Our military people never have been ones to shy away from a challenge, and NDTA members are no exception. Enter the Central Pennsylvania chapter. It was quick to realize that the very end of what the professionals call a few-to-many supply chain often requires the mobilization and coordination of a legion of volunteers to execute the wreath delivery mission to so many locations on a single day.

The task began with NDTA members, but is in the process of radiating out to myriad organizations where members have contacts including the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, various veterans associations, church groups, and student organizations from local colleges and universities. But placement is just one element as the chapter also attempts to seek out those individuals and organizations that would be willing to also underwrite the project. As a result, this December 15, the day designated for the national event, the Central Pennsylvania Chapter and its nearly 100+ mobilized volunteers and family members will solemnly remember and honor those veterans lying in repose at the cemetery at Fort Indiantown Gap.

Education has always been one of the objectives of the NDTA, and while this is a different type of logistics problem and its lesson is markedly different from our other educational activities, the chapter could neither ignore the logistics challenge, nor could it ignore the opportunity to educate younger generations of the sacrifices made by so many generations of veterans that came before them that were willing to unselfishly give their lives in the interest of preserving our freedom.

While the Central Pennsylvania Chapter would certainly be pleased with completion of this local mission this December, its members feel compelled to tell the story with the hopes of energizing other NDTA chapters nationwide. "It's a big challenge for us locally," concurred the chapter directors, "but it is a much taller challenge nationally and the NDTA is just the organization to take it on." NDTA Chairman's Circle Member, UPS, has stepped up to the challenge by providing transportation services at no charge to locations across the Nation in support of Wreaths Across America. Officers and directors of other NDTA chapters looking for more information can access the website http://www.wreathsacross-america.org.

We'll never forget! Spread the word and consider this excellent opportunity for your chapter!

*Some articles have been condensed due to limitations in space.

By Richard Young, PhD and Mr. Jerry Brown