Wreaths Across America Inspires Central Florida

Wreaths Across America Inspires Central Florida

By Jack Pagano
Jack@thetampapost.com

For one December day, patriotism swept across Florida as neighbors gathered to honor America’s heroes.

At Woodlawn Memorial Cemetery in Orlando, hundreds of volunteers placed wreaths with quiet reverence. Jessica Makin, the site’s lead coordinator, reflected on the moment: “We placed 845 wreaths at the cemetery, and we’ve been doing this since 2011. Our local American Legion Post is proud to take on these memorable projects.”

Army 1st Sergeant Raymond Mason and 4-year-old daughter Cheyenne lay a wreath to honor and remember America’s patriots. 13 Dec 25 (photo by Jack Pagano)

Makin reminded attendees of President Ronald Reagan’s powerful words from four decades ago, delivered through the loudspeaker system: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on…”

At Woodlawn Memorial Cemetery in Orlando, Wreaths Across America, 13 Dec 25 (photo by Jack Pagano)

Across the nation, nearly 6,600 events brought together hundreds of thousands of volunteers. At Arlington National Cemetery, more than 27,000 volunteers placed wreaths at 265,000 gravesites and niche columns.  By day’s end, 3.1 million sponsored veterans’ wreaths had been laid in tribute.

At Woodlawn Memorial Cemetery in Orlando, four-year-old Cheyenne Mason gets ready to lay a Wreath during a Wreath Across America day dedication. 13 Dec 25 (photo by Jack Pagano)

For a single day, apathy vanished.  Patriotism shone brightly, reminding America of its enduring love for service and sacrifice.

Jack Pagano is a retired Army field grade officer with many decades of Information Operations experience and currently working remotely in the USA as COO/Strategist for one of Afghanistan’s biggest Radio/TV networks.  His current mission is getting out Afghan journalists he trained, and mentored who are stuck, stranded under the Sharia-driven Taliban