Ashley Furniture Celebrates National Wreaths Across America Day by Hosting Wreath Laying Ceremony at Soldier’s Walk

ARCADIA, Wis. – On Saturday, December 19th, Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc. (Ashley) hosted a free and public ceremony with Wreaths Across America to honor and remember our veterans and active military men and women for their service. What’s become an annual event, took place at Soldiers Walk in Arcadia’s Memorial Park, one of the premier war memorials in the United States outside of Washington, D.C. This is the fifth year Ashley has sponsored this event to commemorate National Wreaths Across America Day. 

The mission of Wreaths Across America is to REMEMBER the fallen, HONOR those that serve and their families, and TEACH the next generation about the value of freedom. This year’s theme was “Be an American Worth Fighting For.” This year’s theme was inspired from a keynote address made by Staff Sergeant Daniel Strong during the 2018 escort to Arlington welcome stop at Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Daniel Strong was an infantryman in the United States Marine Corps and during his time he lost 18 Marines. Each death had a unique impact on Staff Sergeant Daniel Strong as he witnessed first-hand what true sacrifice was and the impact it had on all who was involved.

Prior to the ceremony, volunteers from Ashley helped prep the wreaths with bright red ribbons and tags that share the mission of Wreaths Across America. Following the ceremony presentation, members of the Arcadia American Legion Post 17, community members, Arcadia Boy Scout Troop 264 and Ashley volunteers laid wreaths at each of the war memorials along Soldiers Walk. Simultaneously, thousands of volunteers and sponsors in over 2,500 additional locations across the country, at sea, and abroad held their own wreath-laying ceremonies to honor the contributions and sacrifice of U.S. veterans.

Leading up to this day, beginning in Maine, a parade of trucks traveled down the East Coast on a mission to lay remembrance wreaths at the grave sites of veterans at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, and other Veterans' cemeteries along the way. As part of the “Honor Fleet,” Ashley Distribution Services proudly sent three Ashley trucks and trailers to deliver wreaths at 18 locations across Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, South Carolina, and California. This is the fourth year the organization has assisted in delivering wreaths.

“We’ve been participating in National Wreaths Across America Day for the past five years, both with wreath laying ceremonies and transporting wreaths to participating cemeteries around the country,” stated Ron Wanek, Founder & Chairman, Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc. “It’s a great honor to be involved with this organization and to be able to recognize our U.S. military personnel. It’s also very humbling to see the different generations come together for this event and pass on this tradition and teach about the value of our freedom.”

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Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as at hundreds of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. 

For more information or to sponsor a wreath please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc. feels that every person deserves more value for their money. Established in 1945, Ashley is the largest manufacturer of home furnishings in the world, and was named one of America’s Best Employers by Forbes in 2017. From design through fulfillment, Ashley is committed to delivering the world’s best home furnishing values, selection and service, and earning the loyalty and trust of its customers every day. Visit Ashley online at www.ashleyfurnitureindustriesinc.com and “like” Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc. on Facebook.

Ashley Distribution Services, LTD was established in 1974 by Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc. and today is one of the industry’s largest private fleets. Ashley Distribution Services delivers Ashley Furniture to Ashley HomeStores and customers throughout the U.S. With a growing fleet, Ashley Distribution Services continues to expand beyond delivering furniture. Visit Ashley Distribution Services online at www.ashleydistributionservices.com. 

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