RED Friday: Honoring National Wreaths Across America Day 2024
On this RED Friday, December 13, 2024, the eve of National Wreaths Across America Day, we stand united in remembering, honoring, and teaching the value of freedom. Tomorrow, December 14, more than two million volunteers will gather at over 4,600 locations to place wreaths on the graves of our nation’s fallen heroes. This year’s theme, Live With Purpose, calls us to transform reflection into action, ensuring that each day honors the sacrifices made by our military and their families.
The Wreaths Across America Mission
At the heart of this movement lies a simple yet profound mission: Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom. These guiding principles reflect the enduring impact of those who defend liberty, from the Revolutionary War to the present day.
Founded by Morrill Worcester in 1992, the story of Wreaths Across America began with a surplus of wreaths and one man’s vision to honor veterans at Arlington National Cemetery. Decades later, this grassroots effort has grown into a global movement. Volunteers, the beating heart of the program, work year-round to ensure that the sacrifices of our military heroes are never forgotten.
Karen Worcester, Executive Director, reflects on this year’s theme:
“Over the course of the last year, I’ve seen individuals transform adversity into purpose, dedicating their lives to making every day meaningful.”
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A National Tradition with Deep Roots
The annual pilgrimage of wreaths, known as “the world’s largest veterans’ parade,” begins in Harrington, Maine, and travels to Arlington National Cemetery, making stops at schools, veterans’ homes, and community landmarks to share the mission. Each wreath represents gratitude and remembrance, with its balsam tips symbolizing qualities such as strength, tenacity, and patriotism.
Over the years, the program has grown exponentially. In 2022 alone, Wreaths Across America placed over 2.7 million wreaths across the United States, overseas, and at sea. The 2024 effort continues this legacy, with volunteers gathering to lay wreaths at over 4,600 locations, honoring not just the military’s service but also the families and communities that support them.
Inspiring Generations Through Service
Beyond remembrance, Wreaths Across America emphasizes education. The organization’s expanded TEACH program provides resources for schools to help students understand the price of freedom. Service projects, lesson plans, and character development activities instill the values of sacrifice and responsibility in young people.
Programs like the Remembrance Tree Program offer families of fallen service members a unique way to memorialize their loved ones. Trees tagged in honor of veterans are harvested to create the very wreaths that adorn graves each December. This living tribute reminds us that our heroes’ legacies endure.
Uniting Communities in Remembrance
This RED Friday also reminds us of the sacrifices shared by military families and communities. Every year, volunteers speak the names of veterans aloud as they lay wreaths, ensuring their legacies remain vivid in our collective memory. Special ceremonies at Pearl Harbor, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, underscore the nationwide scope of this effort.
As noted in earlier RED Friday reflections, Wreaths Across America represents more than a single day of action. It symbolizes a commitment to veterans and their families throughout the year. Each wreath laid tomorrow is a reminder that our freedoms are safeguarded by those who serve—and those who never returned home.
Join the Mission
As we prepare for National Wreaths Across America Day, consider how you can participate:
Sponsor a wreath to honor a veteran.
Volunteer at a local cemetery to help with wreath-laying ceremonies.
Share the mission with your family and friends, ensuring future generations understand the cost of freedom.
Visit wreathsacrossamerica.org to learn more about sponsoring wreaths, volunteering, or contributing to programs that teach the value of service and sacrifice.
This RED Friday, we honor the enduring mission of Wreaths Across America: to Remember, Honor, and Teach. As we live with purpose, let us recommit ourselves to keeping the stories of our heroes alive—today, tomorrow, and every day.
Torrington Native Reunites with Family After Deployment Aboard USS Boxer
TORRINGTON — Machinist Mate Seaman Apprentice Capavon PazmioCurtis, a native of Torrington, experienced an emotional reunion at Naval Base San Diego on Nov. 24, 2024. Returning aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), PazmioCurtis met a newborn family member for the first time, marking a joyous conclusion to his five-month deployment.
The USS Boxer, accompanied by Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), returned to its homeport just in time for Thanksgiving. Over the course of the deployment, the Boxer and its crew operated across the U.S. Navy’s 7th and 3rd Fleet areas, which span the Western and Eastern Pacific Oceans.
A Dynamic Deployment
The USS Boxer and the 15th MEU engaged in multiple high-profile operations during their deployment. This included Exercise Ssang Yong, a joint exercise with South Korea designed to bolster the alliance and enhance amphibious capabilities on the Korean Peninsula. Following this, the task force rapidly redeployed to the Philippines to provide humanitarian aid after Typhoon Krathon, working alongside U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and local forces to deliver critical supplies to remote areas.
Additionally, the Boxer and 15th MEU participated in Exercise KAMANDAG 8, a collaborative effort between the Philippines and the U.S. Marine Corps, focused on advancing shared defense and humanitarian capabilities through realistic training scenarios.
“The tactical expertise, professionalism, and versatility of the sailors and Marines who make up our amphibious force team is unmatched,” said Capt. Tate Robinson, commodore of Amphibious Squadron 5.
Strengthening Regional Alliances
Throughout the deployment, the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and the 15th MEU navigated over 3,200 nautical miles, participating in 10 theater exercises aimed at promoting regional stability and a free and open Indo-Pacific.
“From crisis response during foreign disaster relief to supporting critical theater exercises, the accomplishments of our amphibious force reflect the dedication and professionalism of every Marine and sailor,” said Col. Sean Dynan, commanding officer of the 15th MEU.
The return to San Diego allowed over 2,500 sailors and Marines to reunite with their families after months of dedicated service abroad. For PazmioCurtis, the moment was especially poignant, as he held the newest addition to his family for the first time.
U.S. A-10 Thunderbolt II Aircraft Deployed to the Philippines for Joint Training Exercises
The United States has deployed A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft, commonly referred to as “Warthogs,” to the Philippines as part of a joint training mission with the Philippine Air Force. This deployment underscores the enduring defense partnership between the two nations amid heightened tensions in the contested South China Sea.
A-10 Deployment Details
Four A-10s from the 25th Fighter Squadron, based in South Korea, arrived at Clark Air Base on December 6 and will remain in the Philippines until December 15. This operation falls under the U.S. Air Force’s Dynamic Force Employment (DFE) strategy, designed to ensure strategic predictability while maintaining operational unpredictability in competitive regions like the Indo-Pacific.
The training mission marks the second collaborative exercise between the U.S. and Philippine air forces since late November, further strengthening shared capabilities and enhancing interoperability.
A-10 Thunderbolt II: Versatile and Combat-Ready
The A-10 Thunderbolt II has served with the U.S. Air Force since 1976. Designed for close air support, it is equipped with a 30 mm cannon and can carry up to 16,000 pounds of ordnance. While initially developed to target tanks and armored vehicles, the Warthog has proven its maritime combat capabilities, as demonstrated in the Gulf of Mexico in 2017 and the Gulf of Oman in 2023.
Context of Deployment: South China Sea Tensions
The Warthogs’ arrival follows reports of nearly 100 Chinese vessels near the Philippine-held Thitu Island in late November. Territorial disputes in the South China Sea, where China’s sweeping claims overlap with those of the Philippines and other nations, continue to escalate tensions in the region.
China cites historical rights to justify its claims over nearly the entire South China Sea. However, this is contested by several nations, including the Philippines, which has experienced clashes and heightened political friction with Beijing.
U.S.-Philippines Defense Partnership
The deployment also highlights the relevance of the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, which obligates both nations to respond to attacks on public vessels, aircraft, or armed forces in the Pacific region, including the South China Sea.
The Pentagon continues to prioritize the Indo-Pacific as a key strategic theater, emphasizing the importance of agile and responsive military operations. This mission, which focuses on enhancing regional stability and strengthening bilateral ties, underscores the commitment of the United States and the Philippines to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.
USNS Patuxent Returns to Norfolk After 10-Month Deployment
Military Sealift Command’s (MSC) Combat Logistics Force (CLF) fleet replenishment oiler USNS Patuxent (T-AO 201) marked its return to Naval Station Norfolk on Dec. 10, 2024, following a 10-month deployment in the U.S. European Command’s area of responsibility. During its mission, Patuxent demonstrated the pivotal role of MSC’s fleet replenishment oilers, contributing to the Navy’s global logistics system for over 75 years.
Deployment Highlights:
Patuxent completed a voyage of 54,827 nautical miles, effectively circumnavigating the globe twice.
The crew of 77 civil service mariners (CIVMARS) supported 12.9 million gallons of fuel delivery and 86 underway replenishments for 54 U.S. Navy and 32 Allied Surface Combatant ships in U.S. Sixth Fleet’s area of responsibility.
A notable achievement was its vital support during the Israel-Hamas war, where Patuxent safely delivered 120 pallets of bottled water, aiding the well-being of Gaza citizens.
Strengthening International Relations:
The vessel conducted 25 port visits, serving as a goodwill ambassador in locations such as Augusta Bay (Sicily), Malaga (Spain), Rota (Spain), Souda Bay (Crete), and Taranto (Italy). These visits underscored Navy diplomacy, enhancing cooperation between nations.
Strategic Impact:
Patuxent’s mission was a testament to the Navy’s enduring logistics capabilities:
Underway replenishments, enabling continuous operations for combatants without port reliance, were critical for maintaining force protection.
Equipped with five fueling stations, the vessel demonstrated its capability of transferring 900,000 gallons per hour to two ships simultaneously.
As the fifteenth ship of the Henry J. Kaiser-class Combat Logistic Force, Patuxent reinforced the critical function of replenishment oilers in sustaining naval operations worldwide.
A Warm Welcome Home:
Chief Mate Chris Parke lauded the crew’s extraordinary efforts, emphasizing the honor of returning to Norfolk just in time for the holidays, ensuring many crew members could reunite with their families.
MSC’s fleet, comprising 33 CLF ships, exemplifies the unmatched logistical support provided by civilian-crewed, government-owned vessels. Patuxent’s successful deployment reiterates its indispensable role in maintaining U.S. naval dominance and fostering international partnerships.
