National Wreaths Across America Day

By Mario Perez

Wreaths Across America was founded, in 1992, by Morrill and Karen Worcester, owners of Worcester Wreath Company. It originated as a personal tribute to military veterans who had given their lives for this country. For nearly 15 years, the Worcester family privately donated wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery. Then, in 2006, the above iconic photo of the headstones at Arlington, adorned with wreaths and covered in snow, circulated the internet. Unexpectedly, the Worcester’s private tribute became national news. Requests quickly began pouring in from all over the country from people who wanted to volunteer with laying Arlington wreaths, while many others wanted to know how to emulate the wreath-laying tribute at their local cemetery.

Wreaths Across America is a nationwide event that takes place the third Saturday in December. Its mission is simple: “Remember fallen U.S. veterans; honor those who serve; and teach your children the value of freedom.” This event touches the lives of thousands of school, scouts, civic and religious groups across the country through fundraising for wreath sponsorships. The work of these volunteer groups helps to ensure that the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) Chapters reach their goal of placing a wreath on each veteran’s grave.

After months of fundraising, organizing and many hours of working behind-the-scene s, the La Cuesta Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Memorial Chapter 45 and American Legion Post 66 brought Wreaths Across America to San Luis Obispo. On December 17, 2022, they hosted the inaugural ceremonies at both the San Luis and Old Mission Cemeteries. Right after the ceremonies, La Cuesta NSDAR, DAV, Post 66 Legionnaires and other community volunteers placed 1,100 wreaths on the graves of local veterans.

We will be looking for volunteers to help us remove the wreaths. Those wishing to help meet at Post 66, 1661 Mill St., SLO on Saturday, 1/21/23 at 9:30 a.m.

A Leader Is . . .

This presentation brings into focus the idea that great leaders derive the strength of their leadership from within. This is a powerful presentation.

Policies & Procedures Manual

At the request of our Post 66 Commander, Yvonne Hampton the Media & Communications Committee is producing a Policy & Procedure Manual to help members of our American Legion Family  better understand how we operate and how they can help us succeed. This is a very worthwhile project that will benefit Post 66 for years to come. Producing a quality manual will require the “Mutual Helpfulness” (The last two words in the Preamble of The American Legion Constitution.) from all our leaders to do it right. A draft of the manual is available on the Archives Page of our website, for everyone to follow its development.

How Post 66 will benefit from a Policy & Procedure Manual:

• Consistency, continuity, and adherence to best practices.
  Output of our most important operations would become more consistent, as everyone would better understand what we expect. Critical operational information (passwords, etc.) will no longer be held by one person, this will improve continuity. Well defined and recorded, operational procedures would no longer be suggestions based on personal preferences. Instead, procedures vetted by the Post 66 Executive Committee and where necessary approved by our Post 66 membership.

Helps provide consistent training on proper procedures.

• A Policy & Procedure Manual would be multipurpose. It would serve as both a written guide for all Post 66 American Legion Family members to follow and as a training document. It would help ensure compliance with regulatory & financial standards.
• American Legion Family members and Post 66 leaders will use our documented procedures as checklists to ensure we follow appropriate procedures . This includes the steps and procedures that aid in achieving or maintaining compliance with various regulatory standards like the California State Responsible Beverage Service training (RBS).

Annual Review and Policy Updating.

• An annual review will help us ensure our policies and procedures do not become outdated. Policies and procedures will be modified and updated in response to new circumstances as they develop.

This is a big project. No one person in Post 66 will have all the knowledge necessary to produce a quality manual. The answers to these questions: “Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How” will provide much of the information we want to publish. With a large emphasis on What we need to do and the How defined in our Procedures, or steps we have agreed to follow.

Our primary areas of focus in the manual are Policies, Leader Job Descriptions, Post Committees, Key Post Activities, and an Appendix. It would be helpful if any members with information on these topics would share their knowledge.

Look at the draft of the “Policy & Procedure Manual” to better understand the organization of our manual. The manual content will be reviewed by the Executive Committee and modified appropriately, before the final document is published.

but may not control or otherwise influence

The Departmen of California may not control or otherwise influence the specific activites and conduct of Post 66, according to the national bylaws of The American Legion and 36 U.S.C. Section 21704.

“Please see 36 U.S.C. Section 21704: The Corporation (The American Legion) may provide guidance and leadership to organizations (departments) and local chapters (posts) … but may not control or otherwise influence the specific activities and conduct of such organizations (departments) and local chapters (posts).”

Taken from the
2022 Officer’s Guide and Manual of Ceremonies