Wreaths Across America mobile education exhibit coming to Northeast Florida

AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. — Wreaths Across America is rolling out its mobile education exhibit throughout our area.

The traveling exhibit stopped in Nassau County on Thursday.

Remember, honor and teach — that’s the mission of Wreaths Across America.

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“The heartstrings, the emotions, the gratitude. People don’t realize freedom isn’t free,” Robert Errthum, the Wreaths Across America Driver and Ambassador said.

Eerthum drives this mobile museum around the country.

On Thursday, he made a pit stop in Nassau County in Wildlight to help remember veterans who served in combat and made the ultimate sacrifice.

When you walk into the exhibit you can read about the history of Wreaths Across America, sign up as a volunteer or even sponsor a wreath.

There’s also a short 8-minute film about what this organization does, but make sure you grab a box of tissues because some of the stories are very emotional.

Last year, the pandemic made wreath-laying ceremonies more challenging, especially at Jacksonville National Cemetery.

“There weren’t enough volunteers. All the section leaders went to the back of the cemetery to help unload all the tractor-trailers,” said Sharon Driscoll with the Amelia Island Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution.

Sharon Driscoll works with the organization locally and volunteers at the national cemetery each year.

“Right now, we’re kind of low this year but I would really like to see that number climb,” Driscoll said.

The goal is to honor these fallen heroes by laying a wreath on every grave in December.

Vietnam veterans will also leave the mobile exhibit with a certificate, pin, and other items for the welcome home they never got but deserved.

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“It’s something that could never get said enough and that’s just thank you,” Eerthum said.

You can catch the museum at the following locations:

AMELIA ISLAND, FL — Thursday, October 28, 2021 — Wreaths Across America (WAA) in Yulee is proud to announce a local stop for the WAA Mobile Education Exhibit (MEE) national tour. The MEE started its tour at the WAA Headquarters in Maine and will be in the area for a scheduled event that is both free and open to the public from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The event will take place at Wildlight located behind the Red Story Center Building on 123 Tinker Street.

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL — Friday, October 29, 2021 — Veterans Council of St. Johns County will host the WAA Mobile Education Exhibit at Vet-Fest for free tours open to the public, to help honor local veterans and active-duty military. The MEE will be located at 1650 A1A SOUTH from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

ATLANTIC BEACH, FL — Saturday, October 30, 2021 — Jean Ribault Chapter NSDAR will host the WAA Mobile Education Exhibit for free tours open to the public, to help honor local veterans and active-duty military. The MEE will be located at 600 3rd. Street from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Sunday, October 31, 2021 — The Jacksonville Chapter, Jacksonville Florida NSDAR will host the WAA Mobile Education Exhibit for free tours open to the public, to help honor local veterans and active-duty military. The MEE will be located at Walmart Supercenter at 10251 Shops Lane, Jacksonville, Florida 32258, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

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