Volunteers Across America and the Globe Warm the Final Resting Places of Our Veterans
Remember. Honor. Teach. This is the mission of Wreaths Across America.
I was honored to present the U.S. Army Wreath at this powerful event which took place at the Prescott National Cemetery, Arizona on December 13, 2025.
Gold Star families, Boy Scout troops, Young Marines, Cadets, the Ernest A. Love Post 6 Honor Guard, the Legion Riders, along with numerous VFW and American Legion posts and family chapters, volunteered and supported the effort.
The Ernest A. Love Post 6 Honor Guard
Prior to this year, I was vaguely aware of this annual wreath-laying ritual, but I had no idea of the vast scope, scale and impact of it.
To remember the fallen, to honor those who serve and to teach the next generation the value of freedom. This is what I learned were the true passion and meaning behind Wreaths Across America and I was proud of my community and fellow veterans for coming out and showing their support.
Combat Vets Association Volunteer unloading wreaths at Prescott National Cemetery
To appreciate the immense scope of this event, I went to the organization’s website and saw that more than 2 million volunteers and supporters who gathered to Remember, Honor and Teach at more than 5,500 locations in all 50 states, at sea and abroad. I was impressed to learn that wreaths were presented and laid at the gravesites of our WWI and WWII fallen in all 26 American cemeteries overseas including Normandy, Cambridge, Luxembourg, Monilia, Sicily-Rome, Belgium, the Netherlands, Panama and Tunisia.
It was comforting to me to know that our servicemen and woman who died overseas are not forgotten.
Kermit Hunt and Dan Tillmans
The Christmas and Hannukah season are a challenging time for active-duty military and their families. It is especially challenging for Gold Star families who lost loved ones.
Veterans present U.S. Army, Marine and Navy wreaths
It is my hope that this annual ritual will bring some warmth and comfort to the many who are grieving.
It is my hope that the act of laying a wreath or placing a stone on a gravesite while taking a moment to say the veteran’s name out loud will bring some peace to the families because their loved one is not forgotten.
All five of my senses were strongly engaged during the Wreaths Across America event—the visual presence of red bows, the sound of the bugler playing Taps, the scent of pine, the taste of hot chocolate prepared by volunteers, and the warmth of greetings exchanged with fellow veterans.
Elliott from American Legion Post 6 sounds Taps
Thank you to all volunteers and supporters who helped make this event possible across America and at our cemeteries abroad.
Wreaths to remember, wreaths to honor, wreaths to teach.
It was a Flag Day to remember for reasons I did not realize when my husband and I ventured out to Mayer, AZ on the morning of June 14, 2025. It was a temperate and not so windy Saturday and the people who gathered at the Foothills Ranch were glad for it. A huge American flag was raised in honor of many things: the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday, Flag Day, and a Missing Rider tribute to a fellow American who spearheaded this event in prior years.
Video by Dave the Drone Guy, Dave Smithwick
A poignant flag retirement ceremony was held thanks to the dedication and hard work of Foothills Ranch owners Wes and Phyllis Holmes. Numerous organizations also contributed to the effort by volunteering and donations, including local Boy Scout Troops, American Legion Posts and family chapters from Prescott, Cottonwood, Chino Valley, and Humboldt, the Ernest A. Love Post 6 Honor Guard, American Legion Riders and local businesses (see below for more details on that part of the story).
A tall white sign with the title What The Flag Means to Us shared what U.S. Stars and Stripes represented to hosts for the day’s event. Wes Holmes stated, “I believe it is sacred and should be treated with respect. This is why we host the retirement ceremony- to ensure these flags receive the honor they deserve.”
l. to r. Wes Holmes, Dan Tillmans, Joe Gorraiz, and Sherm Scott. Photo by Steve Smull
The event was powerful and impactful with many moving words, prayers, symbols, and traditions.
What started two years ago with two friends, Mark Meridith and Wes Holmes has grown to a large and amazing event.
Why hold such an event?
Respect for the symbol of our nation. Respect for the memory of our family and friends who have passed.
Honor for those who have served and sacrificed for their country.
Yavapai County is home to many military veterans and patriotic residents, resulting in a significant number of flags that require proper disposal each year. According to the U.S. Flag Code, a worn-out flag should not be placed in a landfill and is recommended to be destroyed in a dignified manner, preferably by burning.
The newly built Flag Incinerator. Photo by Steve Smull
What I didn’t know while I was enjoying and appreciating the Flag Day ceremony at Foothills Ranch that day was just how much work, time, sweat, and effort went into it. Being there in person you could feel how much emotion and passion were poured into the proceedings.
Seeing a beautiful horse named Cash being led out by Phyllis was a touching Missing Rider Tribute to Mark Merdith who passed away six months prior. Wes gave a heartfelt announcement to those gathered that morning for the ceremony about his friend who was a driving force for the special Flag Day event and asked for a moment of silence. It was a moving and powerful moment I will never forget.
Cash, Phyllis Holmes, and the Post 6 Honor Guard. Photo by Steve Smull
The American Legion Post 6 Honor Guard played a pivotal role in the Flag Day traditions. Their flag folding ceremony, gun salutes, and sounding of taps presented honor and respect to our nation’s flag as well those who sacrificed their lives for it.
Photo by Steve Smull
The other striking and impressive element of Flag Day 2025 was the large, rusty brown incinerator with its five 9ft chimney stove pipes. Prior to the flag retirement ceremony, the five hand-welded doors of the converted oil tanker were flung open to reveal over 3,000 flags stacked high.
Photo by Steve Smull
The events leading up to the creation of the incinerator is a story of collaboration, persistence, and generosity. Plato’s words “Necessity is the Mother of Invention” came to mind when Wes recounted the genesis of the old 33ft railroad tanker car. There were two main reasons why Wes envisioned the need for an enclosed structure to ignite the flags- the wind and the large number of flags needing disposal (the 2024 flag retirement in a small, open burn pit had to be cancelled due to high winds).
Two weeks prior to the event on 6/14/25, Wes made a call to the Director of the Post 6 American Legion Riders (ALR) stating that if they didn’t get the funds to purchase the oil tanker then the Flag Retirement ceremony would need to be cancelled. That is when Sandra Tavares, ALR Director in Prescott sprang into action and worked with the Commander and other family chapters of the Ernest A. Love Legion post to pull together the donations needed for Wes to acquire the oil tanker he found on Facebook Market place. Now he had to drive his truck and trailer to over 375 miles to St George, Utah to pick the 13,000 lb steel metal tank. It was a harrowing trip back as the length and weight of the tank upset the balance of the trailer.
Once Wes got back to Arizona, multiple local businesses donated steel, stove pipes, welding supplies as teams of welders and other craftsmen provided many hours of skilled labor to rapidly build the incinerator just in time for the big event.
Phyllis and Wes Holmes. Photo by Steve Smull
The following businesses and organizations donated money, supplies and time to the make Flag Day 2025 in Mayer, Arizona a reality.
Lamb Chevrolet
Mayer Fire Department
Ernest A. Love Post 6 Honor Guard- Dan Tillmans, Sherm Scott, Rich Fuller, Joe Gorraiz, Peggy Schmidt, Rich Tuten, Neal Goforth, Dirk Thayer, and Bugler Dede Dexter from Post 25.
Ernest A. Love American Legion Post 6 with ALR, Auxiliary, and Sons of the American Legion
The Flag Day 2025 event was a passionate and patriotic experience with prayers, the raising of a large 50×30 ft American Flag, cannon blasts, honor guard services, singing of our National Anthem, Missing Rider tribute, U.S. Flag Retirement ceremony, and the emotional sounding of taps.
After the ceremony, attendees enjoyed a BBQ brisket meal compliments of Phyllis Holmes and American Legion Post 6 family chapters.
Photo by Steve Smull
Thank you to everyone who contributed, supported and attended this meaningful holiday service.
The honor, respect, and heartfelt tributes made it a Flag Day to remember!
These words were published in the June 2024 Newsletter for American Legion Post 64 in Phoenix, Arizona.
This is my final report to you as your Commander. One year ago, I was honored to be elected to lead the Ahwatukee Post and I am happy to say that we fulfilled our promise to directly help and assist local veterans and their families.
Adjutant Roddy Charlton and Chaplain Rebecca Schmidt presented me with the Commander’s Award
In mid 2023, the officers of Post 64 came together and crafted an Action Plan which focused on meeting the needs of our members. The plan had 3 points: 1) Engage- Make Connections, 2) Expand- Build Bridges, and 3) Retain- Strengthen Social Fabric. When I look back at the last 11 months and reflect on all the good work, activities, and events that our members participated in, the words Mission Accomplished come to mind.
Engage– We listened to what was important to our members and held three social mixers, two fundraiser dinner dances and numerous activities outside of our 10 regular member meetings at the ARC. The number of veterans and guests who attended and actively participated also increased as the word got out about what value and benefit the American Legion can provide. The outstanding personal outreach of the Buddy Check program by our Service Officer Craig Annis and a small team of volunteers also had an amazingly positive impact on engagement.
Expand– Our strong partnership with Auxiliary Unit 64 helped us expand and improve the quality of our service to those in need. We built bridges to the community with active roles in the Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scout Troop 172, local Middle and High Schools, and other veteran service organizations which extended our service reach. With these actions and an enhanced PR/multimedia marketing emphasis, we increased awareness and visibility of the Legion programs that help those in need.
Retain– Taking care of the needs of our existing members while strengthen the social fabric of our post and local community enabled us to have the high member retain rate in District 12. The key ingredients in this area were members’ passion and service to others with meaningful causes. Having fun added the extra spice that kept people coming back and renewing their membership and increasing their involvement and commitment to our post.
As I pass the baton to our incoming Commander, Tamma Notaro, I am confident that she will keep the momentum going with our goal of Veterans Helping Veterans. Her strong leadership, communication and mentoring skills, in addition to a military intelligence background, will serve her well in coming year.
Lastly, the most important thing I need to say is Thank You to all the post members and auxiliary for supporting me this past year. We couldn’t have accomplished anything without you. I was blessed to have an amazing team of officers who all stepped up and exceeded my expectations. Words of appreciation are not enough to express my gratitude to the leaders of Post 64. I enthusiastically salute the 2023-2024 Post and Unit 64 officers: Al Hunter, Pete Meier, Roddy Charlton, Craig Annis, Jay Hendrix, Rebecca Schmidt, Mark Shillinger, David Green, Darlene Hunter, Joan Uhler, Kristy Hendrix, Judy Steffen, and Bev Shillinger. Great job everyone!
I also want to express my deep appreciation to our Post Photographer, Steve Smull, who has been creatively capturing so many memories and moments at Post 64 for the past 6 years.
A few words from Steve,
“As Post Photographer for Post 64, I was honored to serve and support Brenda’s efforts as Commander. We share a mutual respect for the efforts of our nation’s veterans, not just in defense of our borders, but also in their support of their peers.
Brenda and I will carry our efforts for veterans up the hill with us. I enjoy supporting veteran events with images which support veterans’ efforts. Thanks for allowing me to do it.”
As the new Charter Organization Representative (COR) for Boy Scout Troop 172, I am excited about the opportunity to the be Point of Contact and bridge between two long-standing organizations.
The partnership between the American Legion and the Boy Scouts of America can strengthen the social fabric of our communities.
This pairing is a natural alliance that will nourish and bolster the bodies of our youth and the body of our nation.
Why is this partnership so important?
It is important because the future of our country depends on shoring up the principles of our Representative Democracy and the foundations of our federal Constitutional Republic.
It is encouraging to see the four aims of the Boy Scouts line up so closely with the four Pillars of the American Legion.
The Boy Scout aims are: 1) Personal Fitness, 2) Character Development, 3) Citizenship Training and 4) Leadership Development.
The four pillars of the Legion are: 1) National Defense, 2) Youth/Children, 3) Americanism and 4) Veteran affairs and rehabilitation.
Our national defense is strengthened by the scout’s focus on personal fitness and merit badges such as athletics, climbing, hiking, swimming and rifle shooting are key to this.
This focus on personal fitness will also help future members of the military be more combat ready and able to strongly serve and protect.
The scout’s Character development focus is supported by the Legion’s focus on Youth and Children with the Eagle Scout of the Year award, speech contests and other scholarship programs.
The Boy Scout’s Citizenship training is a key component of the Americanism and is supported by the Legions’ Boys States and Boys Nation programs.
Americanism is an important, common goals and the scout’s support this through the many flag ceremonies and their duty to the country.
Lastly, the scout’s Leadership Development aim is directly aligned with the Legion’s focus on Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation.
The common goals of the Boy Scouts of American and the American Legion are to nourish and strengthen not only the bodies of our youth but the body of the United States as One Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Strong Words & Simple Truths 