Operation Tribute at Sea-part of Wreaths Across America

For the second year "Operation: Tribute at Sea" will be held in Cape Coral, Florida. It will be held
on December 11th at 12PM, in conjunction with "Wreaths Across America", which will be placing
wreaths on the graves of veterans all across the country.

Nancy McCarn and her husband Pat decided since the other services were only on land, they would hold services at sea to honor those who were lost or buried at sea, who were not being honored by the national ceremonies at land based cemeteries.

The McCarns use bio-degradable wreaths to which they add poinsettias. Nancy McCarn said that
last year's tribute "It was one of the most incredible this we have done in our lives."

This year organizers expect 15 to 20 boats participating in the event, some of which will join the
procession along the river instead of all meeting at one spot.

The ceremony will begin at Veterans Memorial Bridge at 10AM led by USCG Auxiliary 9-10 and the
flotilla to proceed down the Caloosahatchee River to the Gulf of Mexico, and then three miles out
to sea. The boats will form a circle to start the ceremony which will be broadcast on VHF channels
16 and 72 so everyone can listen to the service. 

The Wreaths Across America's mission is to "remember" the veterans, "honor" their families and
"teach" the children the cost of freedom. As is stated on the Korea War Memorial "Freedom is
not Free", something we all should remember.

Cape Coral Police Officers Kevin Taylor and Mike Anderson will play bugle and bagpipe, with Taps
closing out the ceremony.

Everyone in and around Cape Coral is invited to attend, even if only to stand along the river and
watch the procession.

For more information contact Pat and Nancy McCarn at 239-637-8749 or email at
captpat@capecharters.net.

More information about Wreaths Across America visit their website at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org
Last year 160,000 wreaths were placed on veterans grave sites at more than 400 locations and
24 national cemeteries on foreign soil.

Jerald Terwilliger
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans
"We Believe"

---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996