Our Veterans Day spotlight this year is on SSG Justin Hough, SPC Josh Blankenship and the 863rd Military Police Company, West Virginia Army National Guard out of Glen Jean, WV.
Representing Steeler Nation and supporting the boys in Black & Gold from Camp America in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba:
SSG Justin Hough and SPC Josh Blankenship, WV Army National Guardsmen out of the 863rd Military Police Company were deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from July 2014 to April 2015. They worked long hours in support of their mission, but according to SSG Hough, “Those wonderful months of August thru January didn’t phase us, because we knew we’d be able to root for our team.”
This photo was taken at Fort Bliss, Texas after the Company returned from their deployment in Cuba:
“Members of the Armed Forces are a resilient bunch, and they can’t think of a team that best represents a long-standing tradition of being a resilient group than the boys from the Steel City, the Pittsburgh Steelers.” — SSG Justin Hough.
Justin & his lovely wife Jennifer at the Company’s Homecoming Yellow Ribbon Dinner:
“God Bless this great Nation, the Armed Forces of the United States, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Thanks for all you do Ben!” — SSG Justin Hough and SPC Josh Blankenship & 863rd Military Police Company.
On this Veterans’ Day, the 863rd would like to thank all the past and present heroes, the “one-percenters” who have chosen to serve this great nation. They wish to send their thoughts and prayers to those still serving abroad and to their families. Thanks for your continued sacrifice and support.
And we want to thank the 863rd, as well as all of our servicemen & women! God bless you!
Also on this Veterans Day:
Play Santa for our troops this holiday season!
Shop the USO Wishbook!
The gifts you purchase from the USO Wishbook allow you to recognize a special occasion while directly benefiting troops and their families. You can send everything from a “comfort food” package to a good book to comfortable chairs!
You can learn more here.
And let us not forget…
“National Wreaths Across America day is Saturday, December 12 and there are over 1,200 participating cemeteries that will be having wreath laying ceremonies, as well as Arlington. We are always looking for wreath sponsorships and our ultimate goal, as an organization, is to be able to one day place a wreath on every veterans grave.” — Renee Worcester, Wreaths Across America.
What is Wreaths Across America?
From their website:
“Our mission, Remember, Honor, Teach, is carried out in part by coordinating wreath laying ceremonies a specified Saturday in December at Arlington, as well as veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. We also organize a week of events including international veteran’s tributes, ceremonies at State Houses and a week-long “Veteran’s Parade” between Maine and Virginia where we stop along the way to spread our message about the importance of remembering our fallen heroes, honoring those who serve, and teaching our children about the sacrifices made by veterans and their families to preserve our freedoms.
“This week of events is made possible by thousands of volunteers who organize local ceremonies, raise funds to sponsor wreaths, and participate in the events. We receive no government funding. The cost of our programs is paid by individual wreaths sponsors, corporate donors and volunteer truckers.”
Below are just a few of the many Facebook comments left by Steeler Nation on the site’s Facebook page about volunteering for, donating to, and thanking this wonderful organization:
“This is what true Americans do!” – Laurie E. Bowser
“There was a wreath placed at my grandpa’s grave today at the National Cemetary of the Alleghenies in Pittsburgh.” – Jillian Fecich
“This company is from here in Maine. I was fortunate enough to meet with some of the drivers as they started their journey. There were 23 trucks that were in the WAA convoy. One special trailer had a 6 foot wreath going to the Statue of Liberty. All volunteers. Wonderful people here in Maine.” – Janice Albright
“My brother-in-law and mother-in-law are there helping with wreaths!” – Greg Delbart
“We donated to this cause. It is a wonderful thing.” – Joy Cook
“I was at Arlington National Cemetery as a volunteer today to help lay the wreaths.” – Jill Schnell
“WE ARE BLESSED TO LIVE IN THIS GREAT COUNTRY! THANKS TO ALL THAT SACRIFICE THERE LIVES FOR US.” – Clayton Weaver
“We sponsor several wreaths each year wonderful cause I believe in.” – Vanessa Lucas
“My son was blessed to be chosen to place a wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The pictures and video are a lasting memory of an honor he will never forget! Unfortunately,I have to say his name is Brady because Ben wasn’t a Pro player yet. Go Steelers!” – Cheryl Bowman Stallings-Moore
“That’s AWESOME, LOVING, and SUPPORTIVE. Thank you!” – Rebecca Shaw
“Thanks to everyone who made this possible!” – Carol Hackett
“God Bless this group!!” – Peggy Ricards
“I say thank you & do make a contribution. My husband is buried in Arlington & I live in South Georgia. I can’t make it to Arlington every year at the holiday, so this is a great program. Please support it if you can & thank you Big Ben for putting this out there.” – Sharon Vennelwieber
“Thanks for all of u who took part in this may God bless u all!” – Cherryl Matthews-Broadwater
“My cousin’s daughter and her husband were 2 of those placing the wreaths.” – Jan Zella
“Beautiful – goose bumps though. God bless America and our veterans!” – Karma N. Austin
“Happy to do it every year with the Cub Scouts from Pack 789 (Dunkirk, MD). By the way, I wore my Steelers gloves while placing the wreaths!” – Kevin Shaver
“What a beautiful thing to do. Never to be forgotten.” – Dorothy Heywood
“I say thank you & do make a contribution. My husband is buried in Arlington & I live in South Georgia. I can’t make it to Arlington every year at the holiday, so this is a great program. Please support it if you can & thank you Big Ben for putting this out there.” – Sharon Vennelwieber
If you would like to sponsor wreaths to be placed on the veterans’ graves this December, now is the time!
You can also participate in the Wreaths Across America Day which is scheduled for Saturday, December 12th!
To donate and to learn how you can take part in this wonderful organization, click here.
And we can’t forget a shout-out to our favorite lil’ Marine, Miles Worcester!
Left: Six year old Miles giving his best salute during a bike rally in Maine, where Wreaths Across America was born. Right: Miles showing us that he is also “Steelers Strong”!
Miles has been involved in Wreaths Across America since birth. Being the grandson of WAA founder Morrill Worcester, Miles has been brought up to honor and respect the military and their families. Miles uncle is a Major in the Marines and Miles has always had a special place in his heart for the Marine Corp.
You can read more about Miles here (bottom of post).
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