Another public service event is in the books! It’s one of our favorites – National Wreaths Across America Day, where cemeteries across the country decorate the gravesites of U.S. military veterans with a wreath. The Wreaths Across America organization leads the effort across the country each year.
We were happy that the weather was better than last year, which no doubt contributed to a great turnout of approximately 3,000 volunteers at Fayetteville (Arkansas) National Cemetery. Like the previous two years, we provided radio communications and traffic control around the cemetery. K5KVN’s mobile radio provided a cross-band repeater that covered the cemetery and the parking area a mile away.
With five of us at the event, we had Jeff K3DEI at the parking area to let us know when shuttle buses departed; Nathan K5KAC at the back entrance to the cemetery to park the tractor-trailers and motocycles; Gary WBØRUR at the main gate to assist with disabled and VIP parking; and Kevin K5KVN and Andy K5PO at the main entrance to direct vehicles to the parking area.
It worked really well. But next year, someone will be assigned to remind Kevin K5KVN to start his truck at least once to recharge the battery. Even though it had enough juice to keep the Kenwood DM700 going, it wasn’t enough to start the truck at the end of the day.
As excited as we are to wear an HT on our belt and put on our bright yellow vests with “RADIO COMMUNICATIONS” blazed on them, the real reason we enjoy the event is to honor the vets that serve our country. The spirit of the event is contagious.
Thanks to Gary WBØRUR, Andy K5PO, Kevin K5KVN, Jeff K3DEI, and Nathan K5KAC for doing this public service event.
