During trip to Wreaths Across America trailer exhibit, three awarded for Vietnam contributions

Three local men were among the slew of Sons of American Revolution (SAR) members who attended a special trailer exhibit as part of the Wreaths Across America initiative. President Wilder Smith Jr., Compatriot John Tapley, and Compatriot John David Bailey, all of the Wiregrass Chapter, attended the event this past Saturday, March 12, in Warner Robins.

The trip included a tour inside the Wreaths Across America trailer on the premises, and the director of the event found out during their visit that all three of the aforementioned local men served in Vietnam or served during the Vietnam War. Thus, he presented them with the 50th Anniversary Vietnam Pin as well as a cap.

The Wreaths Across America is a national project organized to lay wreaths on every veteran grave later this year on December 17, 2022.

This project had never been done in Emanuel County and when Compatriot Tapley heard about the Wiregrass Chapter participating on December 18, 2021 in Screven County’s Wreaths Across America, he decided to get involved.

In November 2021, Compatriot Tapley organized an event at Pine Brook Nature Park at the corner of Highway 57 and Highway 80 West. This undertaking would see 20 wreaths laid at the base of the 13 U.S. flags erected in honor of the 13 service members killed in August 2021 in Afghanistan as well as at the first responders’ monument and the monuments for those who served in the Korean War, both world wars, and the War between the States.

Compatriot Tapley realized there are innumerable veterans buried in Emanuel County, and all of these service members should be recognized with wreaths. Thus, he has already begun organizing this year’s event.

On December 17, veterans in Emanuel County will take on four cemeteries in Swainsboro, laying wreaths on all veteran graves.

Compatriot Tapley’s group has started identifying graves inside the city cemetery and is already up to more than 700.

Look for more details about this patriotic project in the future.