Bloomfield, Missouri - It was a gorgeous day at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield. The sun was shining, the temperatures were warm and hundreds of volunteers of all ages converged to place beautiful Christmas Wreaths on veterans' graves. It looked to be a record breaking turn-out for the 8th annual Wreaths Across America.
A green wreath with a red ribbon laid across the tombstone of a veteran. It was a simple image, but a powerful message. A message of honor, remembrance and gratitude.
In 1992, Worcester Wreath found themselves with a surplus of wreaths nearing the end of the holiday season. Remembering his boyhood experience at Arlington, Worcester realized he had an opportunity to honor our country's Veterans. With the help of Maine Senator Olympia Snowe, arrangements were made for the wreaths to be placed at Arlington in one of the older sections of the cemetery, a section which had been receiving fewer visitor with each passing year.
In 2007, the Worcester family, along with veterans, and other groups and individuals who had helped with their annual Christmas wreath ceremony in Arlington, formed Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit 501-c3 organization, to continue and expand this effort and support other groups around the country who wanted to do the same. The mission is simple: REMEMBER, HONOR, TEACH.
On December 13, 2008, the U.S. Congress unanimously voted to establish Wreaths Across America Day on the second or third Saturday of December.
Along with scores of other communities around the country, including Arlington National Cemetery, our community came out strong and gathered at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Stoddard County on Saturday, December 17, 2016.
Mr. Randy Dunn served as Master of Ceremony. A Moment of Silence for those fallen, prisoners of war, missing in action, and to honor those who have served this great nation. Jack Gillies conducted the Pledge of Allegiance and Kara King sang a most beautiful National Anthem. Pastor Ronnie Stevens of the First General Baptist Church said the Invocation.
Wreaths of Service were placed by those representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, and POW/MIA.
Benediction was performed by Pastor Stevens and the firing volley was performed by the Stoddard County Veterans Honor Guard followed by Taps.
Dexter, Missouri - Ashlynn Wyman has a heart of gold! Her goal is to eliminate trash bags as an acceptable form of luggage for foster children. When a child enters foster care sometimes a trash bag is the only thing they are offered for their most personal belongings.
Wyman's journey on her latest project, "Luggage for Foster Children" began when she was very young and her grandma became a foster parent. Then about two years ago her mom showed her this video about the life a foster child and it made her realize just how lucky she was to be with her family.
"In the video, the child moves from house to house with her clothes and belongings in trash bags," commented a very passionate Wyman. "I have set up a Luggage Drive at Dexter High School and I really need everyone's help!"
The luggage, suitcases, backpacks or duffle bags will be donated to the Department of Social Service (They oversee the Division of Family Services) so that children will have something of their own to take with them when they go to a foster home.
"Community members please join in!" Wyman said. "If you have anything you would like to donate please let me know and I can come pick it up. DHS Students please bring to school and place underneath the Student Council Christmas Tree!"
There is no deadline for this worthwhile cause. Ashlynn just wants to continue this project and pass on to her fellows classmates and brothers next year!
More than 300,000 kids enter the foster care system in America each year. They deserve better than a trash bag for their belongings. Let's help Ashlynn by donating at least one piece of luggage, backpack or duffle bag this holiday season to help her cause and continue into the new year helping those who are in need!
You can reach her on Facebook by clicking HERE. You can also reach out to the ShowMe Times and we will be glad to help her deliver or pick-up items for donation.
Bloomfield, Missouri - Missouri State Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield invites the public to Participate in Wreaths Across America Program on Saturday, December 17, 2016.
The program will begin at 11:00 AM in the cemetery at the Committal Shelter Pavilion.
Master of Ceremony for the program will be Mr. Randy Dunn.
The cemetery has participated in the program for the last ten years by placing a ceremonial wreath on the grave of a member from each branch of service and a former POW. Due to the fund raising efforts the cemetery will be able to fully participate in the program again this year and will place a wreath on every grave within the cemetery for the ninth year in a row.
Families and friends of those interred, as well as the general public are invited to attend to help us remember the fallen; honor those who serve and teach our children the value of freedom.
Information about the Wreaths Across America Program can be found at: www.wreathsacrossamerica.org
For further information you may contact the cemetery at (573) 568-3871
Bloomfield, Missouri - The Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce would like to invite you to the 2nd Annual It's a Wonderful Life in Bloomfield event on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Enjoy an evening of Christmas cheer filled with entertainment, photos with Santa Claus, a Pet Parade/Contest at 6:00 p.m. and Zach Zook will perform the Christmas Reading. There will be lots of hot chocolate, coffee, cookies, snacks, candy, chili and more all free. Buddy Heaton will also have the community choir singing old fashioned Christmas songs!
The Chamber would like to invite all local businesses and churches to join them. Goldie DeGroot encourages anyone to participate by setting up a booth or table. If you are unable to set up a booth, donations are welcome. There will also be prizes. Just give her a call at (573) 568-9996 or (573) 568-2584.
Please go to the event page and let them know you are attending! Click HERE.
Dexter, Missouri - The 8th Annual Christmas Reading is slated for Saturday, November 26th beginning at 6:00 p.m. at 125 W. Stoddard Street across from Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.
Greg Mathis began the annual Christmas Reading by reading the Second Chapter of Luke in 2009 and has not become a wonderful tradition.
June Coffey, Lisa's mother and Greg's mother-in-law read the Christmas story from Luke 2 every Christmas Eve to their two boys when they were young. It was a tradition Greg decided to share with others through the Christmas reading. Mrs. Coffey passed away in 2015.
“Too often we tend to get caught up in the rush of the holiday season,” Mathis said. “It is simply a reading by a special person in the local community who tells aloud the true story of the first Christmas.”
The event is outside and everyone is encouraged to attend. A special guest will read the story of the first Christmas, but you have to attend to find out who the secret guest will be this year. Also the Crowley Ridge Mennonite Church will once again bless us with their beautiful magical voices.
In case of inclement weather the event will be moved indoors to the chapel at Rainey Mathis Funeral Home.
Greg Mathis has created a website if you would like to learn more about the event, click HERE.
