Fort Smith Regional Chamber Of Commerce: News Release: CHRISTMAS HONORS ANNOUNCES GUEST SPEAKER

Press release from the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce:

November 29, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Philip Merry, Chairman
479-926-0939
1unclesam1@gmail.com
 
CHRISTMAS HONORS ANNOUNCES GUEST SPEAKER
 
Fort Smith, AR – Monday, November 29, 2021 – Christmas Honors is excited to announce that one of their very own, Justin Legris, will be the guest speaker at this year’s event. Justin has been a Fort Smith Christmas Honors volunteer since the inception of the event in 2009. He is currently a dedicated music educator and proud member of the Arkansas Army National Guard.
 
“Participating in Christmas Honors has always been such a humbling experience and something that is much bigger than wreaths.” shared Justin. “Words cannot the express the comfort the event provides families during the holidays that have lost loved ones that have sacrificed so much. These fallen have given a large portion of their lives to serve this great country we live in, now it is time for us to acknowledge our forever gratitude for them.”
 
Justin will share his prospective and experiences during the 11:00 a.m. public ceremony at the pavilion at the Fort Smith National Cemetery. At the conclusion of the program, he will pay tribute to all branches of the military by once again sounding Taps.
 
 
Christmas Honors invites the citizens of the Fort Smith Region to help honor the servicemen and women of our community who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation at the 13th Annual Christmas Honors event. Families, friends, and volunteers will transform the United States National Cemetery at Fort Smith by placing one wreath on each of the 16,000+ headstones in their honor. 
 
DATE REMINDER:
Wreath Workshop/Assembly
Wednesday, December 1, 2021
Fort Smith Convention Center Hall C from 9:00AM-2:00PM
 
Christmas Honors Wreath Event
Saturday, December 4, 2021
Fort Smith National Cemetery

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CHRISTMAS HONORS ANNOUNCES GUEST SPEAKER DATE REMINDER: 8:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.  – Family Time - Please respect this time to allow the families of our heroes to lay wreaths on their loved one’s headstone(s). Please respect this time to allow the families of our heroes to lay wreaths on their loved one’s headstone(s). Please respect this time to allow the families of our heroes to lay wreaths on their loved one’s headstone(s). 11:00 a.m. Public Ceremony 11:30 a.m. Public Laying of the Wreaths will be at approximately 11:30 a.m. – Immediately following the ceremony, attendees will be asked to lay wreaths on all remaining headstones. Please do not start to lay wreaths until the ceremony is complete. One wreath per headstone unless both spouses are veterans. Lean the wreath on the front of the headstone. Please do not wrap it on top. , attendees will be asked to lay wreaths on all remaining headstones. , attendees will be asked to lay wreaths on all remaining headstones. *NEW* *NEW* 11:45 a.m. Read & Ring – Volunteers will be stationed throughout the cemetery and will read each veteran’s name buried in that section followed by the ringing of the bell. Wednesday, January 5, 2022 Fort Smith Convention Center Hall C from 9:00AM-2:00PM Donation Information: Donation Information: As the mission continues each year, we need the economic assistance, time, and talents of our dedicated supporters to show the appreciation and respect to veterans and their families they deserve. e appreciation and respect to veterans and their families they deserve. Christmas Honors is a 501(c)(3) organization; therefore, all donations are tax deductible. A receipt will be mailed to you for your records. Mail donations to: Christmas Honors P.O. Box 10696, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72917 10696 10696 You can donate on-line via the website. Just click on the “Donate” button and you will be walked through the process. In-Kind donations are always needed and greatly appreciated. If interested in helping, please refer to the website for a list of items. The mission was to The first year more than 1,000 volunteers respectfully placed a wreath on each of the 12,000 headstones. The program has since grown to serving 16,000+ veterans and their families. For more information, visit or ###

This press release was produced by the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author’s own.