Wellington’s Troop 4125 — an all-female troop affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America — is joining a nationwide program designed to honor and remember the fallen during the holiday season.
The South Florida National Cemetery is one of many sites that receives remembrance wreaths through Wreaths Across America, and there are more than 12,000 headstones there for those who served our nation and are now gone, but not forgotten.
“There has only been about 4,000 wreaths sold,” Troop Leader Amanda Cooper said. “The girls’ goal for our troop is to try and get at least 125 wreaths sold.”
Troop 4125 was established in February 2019, and this is their first opportunity to be a part of Wreaths Across America. Local Scoutmaster Randy Lane has been participating in the program for the past eight years. He honors personal friends buried there, including his own scoutmaster from when he was young.
The girls of Troop 4125 are both driven and personally inspired by the project.
“I value my freedom and have nothing but respect and gratitude to the heroes who have fought for it,” Brooke Bohn said. “I want to send my thanks to all veterans, my favorite being my dad.”
For Kitty Lane, it is a family tradition. Anna Cooper feels it is important to celebrate veterans, particularly those who returned from conflicts like Vietnam and were not treated properly when they came home. Lily Kaminski wants to honor those who sacrificed so much.
“A big part of scouting is to honor, and we want to honor, appreciate and acknowledge those who have served our country,” Emma Kaminski said.
The wreaths cost $15, with $10 of the funds going into the production of the wreath itself and the other $5 supporting the troop and its activities.
“I just want to say that I am truly proud of all that these young ladies have accomplished, and I can’t wait to see what else they can do,” Amanda Cooper said.
The deadline to purchase a wreath in person is Nov. 30, and wreaths can be purchased online until Dec. 2.
The wreaths are planned for placement on Wreath Day, which is Saturday, Dec. 14.
For questions, or more information, e-mail amanda.cooper@hmshost.com.
Wreaths supporting Troop 4125 can be purchased directly at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/fl0768p for $15 each.
