MRFF Stalwart Ally and Retired USAF Chaplain, Col, Speaks Out: “THE UNMITIGATED EFFRONTERY OF THE PROJECT, WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA”

Once again, non-Christians and even some of that faith will have their sensitivities offended by the program, Wreaths Across America. Invading national cemeteries where those who gave the last full measure of their courage and valor have been laid to rest, these wreath layers will top the graves of one and all with Christmas wreaths.  Debate whether or not these wreaths relate to Christmas and are symbolic of that holiday, the project comes only and distinctly at this time of year and is sure to offend those who want nothing to do with Christianity or the celebration of Christmas, be it connected to the birth of Jesus or the gross materialism of Christmas shopping, buying and gift giving.  You will see no Christmas lights on these peoples’ homes or decorated trees inside their abodes.  They don’t want wreaths placed on the graves of their loved ones because those items, in their eyes, simply pay no honor to their dead, but come with supercessionist overtones.

            Wreaths Across America is an expression of Christian triumphalism and gall.  Assuming that everyone will be grateful for what they deem acts of selflessness and celebration, they walk on hollowed ground with proverbial cleats.   Their unwanted “gifts” have been reputed to be money makers for the project managers and, if true, it adds a measure of cynical profiteering to the presumptuousness of the whole enterprise.

            There are myriad stories of our fallen whose graves are not marked with crosses.  There are others whose graves are mistakenly marked with a Christian symbol.  There are efforts to correct some the mistaken markers, but even so, if the people involved with Wreaths Across America wanted to behave in a truly loving way, they would obtain permission from the thousands and thousands who lie in our national cemeteries.  Just as the medical world is bound by HIPPA, so should those who wish to change military graves in any way have to secure the proper consent.

            My own relative who fought in WWII would consider a wreath upon his grave a dis-service and desecration.  Wreaths Across America doesn’t care.  They will do what they will do because they know they can get away with it.  This is purely wrong and, in fact, is a violation both of many of the resting places of our dead and the true Christmas spirit which touts “peace on Erath, good will to men (and women).”

Chaplain, Col, USAF (Ret) Joel R. Schwartzman

Dillon Colorado