Wreaths Across America hits Kaua‘i

HANAPEPE — The Kaua‘i Composite Squadron Hawai‘i Wing, Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, stepped forward Saturday to support the Wreaths Across America Day effort at Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery.

“Dec. 18 is known as WAA Day in honor of Wreaths Across America,” said Maj. Susan Caires of the squadron. “We happened upon more than 300 wreaths so, for the first time, Kaua‘i becomes part of WAA Day.”

With the help of Kylan Dela Cruz of the county’s Department of Parks &Recreation and Mayor Derek Kawakami visiting to pay his respects, the cadets of the squadron laid out nearly 340 public-sponsored wreaths on the headstones of Kaua‘i’s service members.

As a major partner in WAA Day, the Civil Air Patrol had adorned memorials and veterans’ graves with balsam wreaths to make sure the sacrifices of the nation’s service members are not forgotten.

“This started in Arlington National Cemetery,” Caires said. “Last year, members of the public sponsored the placement of more than 1.5 million wreaths at 1,400 cemetery or memorial sites across the United States and abroad. This mission to remember, honor and teach is carried out by wreath-laying events started at Arlington National Cemetery.”

The placements that include a smart military salute by the presenter involved more than 250 CAP squadrons participating last year during WAA Day. Wreaths were placed at cemeteries and memorials in all 50 states as well as 24 locations overseas.

Rick Cox of the squadron said WAA Day also serves as a fundraiser for the local CAP unit.

When a sponsor is made at $15 per wreath, $10 covers the cost of the wreath and shipping. The remaining balance is turned over to the squadron.

Wreath sponsorship is available online at wreathsacrossamerica.org. The saga of Wreaths Across America founder, Morrill Worcester, is also included on the website that talks about how Worcester’s gesture to remember and honor veterans exploded in 2005 after exposure on social media and the internet.

The Civil Air Patrol is the long-time, all-volunteer U. S. Air Force Auxiliary. CAP operates a fleet of 560 aircraft, performs about 90% of U.S. inland search-and-rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of more than 80 lives annually.

CAP’s 66,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug-interdiction missions. Additionally, CAP plays a leading role in aerospace/science, technology, engineering and mathematics education. Its adult members serve as mentors to more than 28,000 young people participating in CAP’s cadet programs.