Wreaths Across America Ceremonies Result in 120-Plus News Clips for CAP

SUMMARY OVERVIEW

A national news release about Civil Air Patrol’s Wreaths Across America activities and a hometown news release prepared for local events was used by wing and squadron public affairs officer to get live coverage for the organization. More than 70 print/broadcast stories mentioning CAP were published on and after National Wreaths Across America Day on Dec. 14. The regionally publicity was impressive, led by a story from Fort Snelling, Minn., that aired on KSTP- TV, the ABC affiliate in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Other CAP ceremonies for Wreaths Across America that received good coverage included those held in Lubbock, Texas; Webb City, Mo.; La Crosse, Wis.; Erie, Pa.; and St. George, Utah. In all, counting both the pre- and post- publicity, there were 120-plus stories mentioning CAP, a significant increase from 2012 when only about 75 stories were received.

POST-EVENT PUBLICITY

Fort Snelling, Minn. http://kstp.com/news/stories/s3245251.shtml?cat=1 (Dec. 14)

Lubbock, Texas http://www.myfoxlubbock.com/news/local/story/veteran-wreaths-across-america-civil-air- pat/XrN_ej9Sg0Cc242OzVo31g.cspx (Dec. 15) http://www.everythinglubbock.com/story/civil-air-patrol-honors-those-fallen-for- holidays/d/story/Fh6m4gzX1UGXbmhx4ehTKw (Dec. 14)

Webb City, Mo. http://www.fox14tv.com/story/24223007/honoring-veterans-sacrifice-with-wreaths-across- america (Dec. 14) http://www.koamtv.com/story/24223007/honoring-veterans-sacrifice-with-wreaths-across- america (Dec. 14)

La Crosse, Wis. http://www.wxow.com/story/24223161/2013/12/14/civil-air-patrol-squadron-honored-fallen- veterans (Dec. 14)

Erie, Pa. http://www.erietvnews.com/story/24222583/wreaths-across-america-remembering-eries-fallen- vets (Dec. 14) St. George, Utah http://www.thespectrum.com/article/20131214/NEWS01/312140015/Wreaths-Across-America- ceremony-honors-vets?nclick_check=1 (Dec. 14)

Other stories published/broadcast on or after National Wreaths Across America Day:

St. Louis Post-Dispatch http://interact.stltoday.com/pr/local-news/PR122913110115453 (Dec. 29)

Yonkers (N.Y.) Daily Voice Mount Vernon, N.Y. http://yonkers.dailyvoice.com/news/westchester-civil-air-patrol-honors-vets-holiday-wreath- ceremony (Dec. 27)

Bronxville-Eastchester Patch http://bronxville.patch.com/groups/goodnews/p/westchester-cadets-lay-wreaths-at-historic-site- bronxville (Dec. 26)

New Rochelle Patch http://newrochelle.patch.com/groups/goodnews/p/westchester-cadets-lay-wreaths-at-historic- site-newrochelle (Dec. 26)

Pelham Patch http://pelham.patch.com/groups/goodnews/p/westchester-cadets-lay-wreaths-at-historic-site (Dec. 26)

Rivertowns Patch http://rivertowns.patch.com/groups/goodnews/p/westchester-cadets-lay-wreaths-at-historic-site- rivertowns (Dec. 26)

Rye Patch http://rye.patch.com/groups/goodnews/p/westchester-cadets-lay-wreaths-at-historic-site-rye (Dec. 26)

Scarsdale Patch http://scarsdale.patch.com/groups/goodnews/p/westchester-cadets-lay-wreaths-at-historic-site- scarsdale (Dec. 26)

The Advocate (Baton Route, La.) http://theadvocate.com/features/people/7862670-123/community-news (Dec. 24)

The Daytona Beach (Fla.) News-Journal http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20131222/NEWS09/131229976/- 1/OPINION0102?Title=CAP-honors-veterans-in-Wreaths-Across-America-ceremony (Dec. 22)

Oroville (Calif.) Mercury-Register http://www.orovillemr.com/news/ci_24779243/snapshots-honoring-veterans (Dec. 22) NJ.com http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county- democrat/index.ssf/2013/12/civil_air_patrol_cadets_place.html (Dec. 22)

Paradise (Calif.) Post http://www.paradisepost.com/ci_24751234/wreaths-laid-veterans-butte-county- cemetery?source=rss (Dec. 18)

Marshall (Texas) News Messenger http://www.marshallnewsmessenger.com/lifestyle/state-representative-speaks-at-civil-air-patrol- event/article_8a40309f-f666-580e-aebc-fd1286e5984f.html (Dec. 22)

Cincinnati.com http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20131218/NEWS01/312180117/&nclic k_check=1 (Dec. 18)

Army.mil, the official homepage of the United States Army http://www.army.mil/article/117188/Hundreds_of_wreaths_placed_at_cemetery/ (Dec. 18) http://www.army.mil/article/117192/JMC_Command_Sergeant_Major_Speaks_at_Local_Wreath s_Across_America_Ceremony/ (Dec. 18)

La Crosse (Wis.) Tribune http://lacrossetribune.com/westbytimes/lifestyles/westby-cadets-join-ceremony-to-honor-fallen- soldiers/article_d7b2528c-6c22-11e3-a5ef-0019bb2963f4.html (Dec. 23)

PRLog.org http://www.prlog.org/12257619-399th-danbury-composite-squadron-honors-veterans.html (Dec. 17)

WCAX.com (Burlington, Vt.) http://www.wcax.com/category/166239/video-landing-page?clipId=9635549&autostart=true (Dec. 14)

The Evening Tribune (Bath, N.Y.) http://www.eveningtribune.com/article/20131217/NEWS/131219776 (Dec, 18)

Redmond (Wash.) Reporter http://www.redmond- reporter.com/news/236250071.html?utm_campaign=Feed%3a+redmondnews+(News+- +Redmond+Reporter)&utm_medium=feed&utm_source=feedburner (Dec. 17)

Fremont (Neb.) Tribune http://fremonttribune.com/news/local/wreath-project-honors-our-veterans/article_fcc96051-4cdb- 5a35-9cfc-71742a42c265.html (Dec. 16)

KOAT 7 Albuquerque (ABC affiliate in Albuquerque, N.M.) http://www.koat.com/news/new-mexico/holiday-wreaths-to-honor-veterans-at-santa-fe-national- cemetery/-/9153762/23510858/-/53pmoxz/-/index.html?absolute=true (Dec. 16) Deming (N.M.) Headlight http://www.demingheadlight.com/deming-news/ci_24736321/holiday-wreaths-honor-veterans (Dec. 16)

RecordOnline.com (Kingston, N.Y.) http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=TH&Date=20131214&Category=NEWS &ArtNo=121409999&Ref=PH&Presentation=desktop (Dec. 14)

TimesBulletin.com (Van Wert, Ohio) http://timesbulletin.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=184058 (Dec. 17)

Cleveland (Tenn.) Banner http://www.clevelandbanner.com/view/full_story/24237201/article-Wreaths-Across- America?instance=homefirstleft (Dec. 17)

Daily Sentinel (Nacogdoches, Texas) http://dailysentinel.com/news/image_b535b0c6-6517-11e3-b4ac-001a4bcf887a.html (Dec. 15)

The Olympian (Olympia, Wash.) http://www.theolympian.com/2013/12/16/2878662/wreaths-across-america-event-honors.html (Dec. 16)

The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Wash.) http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/hbo/2013/dec/16/hbo-blog-roundup-121613/ (Dec. 16)

The Sierra Vista (Ariz.) Herald http://www.svherald.com/content/derek-jordan/2013/12/14/364438 (Dec. 14)

DailyProgress.com (Charlottesville, Va.) http://www.dailyprogress.com/starexponent/news/local_news/wreaths-laid-at-culpeper-national- cemetery/article_bb7152e2-64fe-11e3-8a2c-001a4bcf6878.html (Dec. 15)

WWAY TV 3 (ABC affiliate in Wilmington, N.C.) http://www.wwaytv3.com/2013/12/14/headstones-decorated-wreaths-for-the-holidays (Dec. 14)

WALB-TV (NBC/ABC affiliate in Albany, Ga.) (http://www.walb.com/story/24223184/hundreds-of-wreaths-placed-at-wilmington-national- cemetery (Dec. 14, 16)

WECT.com (NBC affiliate in Wilmington, N.C.) http://www.wect.com/story/24223184/hundreds-of-wreaths-placed-at-wilmington-national- cemetery (Dec. 14, 16)

Chattanoogan.com (Chattanooga, Tenn.) http://www.chattanoogan.com/2013/12/15/265598/DAR-Takes-Part-In-Wreath-Laying.aspx (Dec. 15) News On 6 (Tulsa, Okla.) http://www.newson6.com/story/24225594/wreath-laying-ceremony-honors-veterans-at-fort- gibson-nationa-cemetery (Dec. 15)

Daily Democrat (Sacramento, Calif.) http://www.dailydemocrat.com/religion/ci_24724625/holiday-wreaths-laid-memory-fallen-service- members-at (Dec. 15)

The Item (Sumter, S.C.) http://www.theitem.com/news/local_news/cadets-troops-lay-tributes-to- veterans/article_291e11cf-bc00-58aa-a027-34248b14bc40.html (Dec. 15)

CadillacNews.com (Cadillac, Mich.) http://www.cadillacnews.com/news_story/?story_id=1814820&year=2013&issue=20131216 (Dec. 16)

The Marietta (Ohio) Times http://www.mariettatimes.com/page/content.detail/id/555895/Fallen-veterans-honored-during- wreath-ceremony.html?nav=5002 (Dec. 16)

Army.mil, the official homepage of the United States Army http://www.army.mil/article/116994/Marne_Division__community_pay_tribute_during_holidays/ (Dec. 14)

KDRV.com (ABC affiliate in Medford, Ore.) http://www.kdrv.com/wreaths-placed-on-local-graves/ (Dec. 14)

WRBL News 3 (CBS affiliate in Columbus, Ga.) http://www.wrbl.com/story/24222601/fallen-soldiers-honored-at-fort-mitchells-wreaths-across- america (Dec. 14)

Count On 2 News (WCBD-TV, NBC affiliate in Charleston, S.C.) http://www.counton2.com/story/24222601/fallen-soldiers-honored-at-fort-mitchells-wreaths- across-america (Dec. 14)

MyHighPlains.com (KAMR-TV, NBC/Fox affiliate in Amarillo, Texas) http://www.myhighplains.com/story/remembering-some- heroes/d/story/vxGc9NpoZEKLyFheQSGqpw (Dec. 14)

News-Journal.com (Longview, Texas) http://www.news-journal.com/news/local/gregg-county-branch-of-wreaths-across-america- honors-fallen-vets/article_9b584afd-ce6c-5fc5-afa9-c5cd5d0d1bd0.html (Dec. 15)

Dallas (Texas) News http://www.dallasnews.com/news/metro/20131214-hundreds-of-volunteers-lay-holiday-wreaths- at-dallas-fort-worth-national-cemetery.ece (Dec. 14) KULR 8 and KTVQ.com (Billings, Mont.) http://www.kulr8.com/story/24222385/wreaths-across-america-day (Dec. 14) http://www.ktvq.com/news/wreaths-on-graves-honor-veterans/ (Dec. 15)

Quad-City Times (Davenport, Iowa) http://qctimes.com/news/local/wreaths-across-america-honors-military- personnel/article_9719c1bc-445b-5609-892f-677a78559743.html (Dec. 14)

Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2013/12/15/1302819?sac=fo.military (Dec. 15)

Sentinel-Standard (Ionia County, Mich.) http://www.sentinel-standard.com/article/20131214/NEWS/131219396/1001/NEWS (Dec. 14)

The News Center (Parkersburg, W.Va.) http://www.wboy.com/story/24222643/residents-honors-veterans-in-wreaths-across-america- ceremony (Dec. 14) http://www.thenewscenter.tv/home/headlines/Placing-Wreaths-At-City-Parks-Veterans- Memorial-235885491.html (Dec. 14)

KDBC-TV (El Paso, Texas) http://www.kdbc.com/news/volunteers-decorate-nearly-4500-fort-bliss-gravesites-holiday- wreaths (Dec. 14)

GoSanAngelo.com (San Angelo, Texas) http://www.gosanangelo.com/news/2013/dec/14/wreaths-to-honor-service/?partner=RSS (Dec. 14)

The News-Leader (Springfield, Mo.) http://www.news-leader.com/article/20131215/NEWS01/312130086/-1/RSS09?nclick_check=1 (Dec.. 15)

Times-Daily (Florence, Ala.) http://www.timesdaily.com/news/local/article_ebf6b2f0-6548-11e3-b406-0019bb30f31a.html (Dec. 15)

Big News Network http://www.bignewsnetwork.com/index.php/sid/219119273/scat/84aeba5e9b6e1230 (Dec.15) http://www.bignewsnetwork.com/index.php/sid/219107472/scat/b58581d36941632d / (Dec. 14)

PRE-EVENT PUBLICITY

A national news release about Civil Air Patrol’s Wreaths Across America activities and a hometown news release prepared for local events before National Wreaths Across America Day garnered 50 print/broadcast stories mentioning CAP. Included was a newspaper article in The Times-News of Burlington, N.C., that featured 14 Honor Guard cadets who traveled to Arlington National Cemetery to participate in a series of patriotic ceremonies there. Other notable publicity included Roll Call Online’s preview of the ceremony at the U.S. Capitol on Dec. 6, and publication of CAP’s national news release on AviationPros.com.

The Times-News (Burlington, N.C.) http://www.thetimesnews.com/news/top-news/burlington-cap-cadets-take-on-daunting- inspirational-duty-1.248572 (Dec. 12)

Roll Call Online http://www.rollcall.com/news/capitol_wreath_ceremony_slated_for_monday-229493-1.html (Dec. 6)

Aviation Pros http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/11239183/join-merritt-other-civil-air-patrol-members- in-honoring-military-veterans (Nov. 19)

Other stories published/broadcast prior to National Wreaths Across America Day:

Red Bluff (Calif.) Daily News http://www.redbluffdailynews.com/business/ci_24724245/civil-air-patrol-help-wreath-laying (Dec. 13)

Cherokee (Ga.) Tribune http://www.cherokeetribune.com/pages/full_story/push?article- Wreaths+Across+America+coming+to+Cherokee-+despite+shortage+=&id=24218745 (Dec. 13)

Public News Service (Columbus, Ohio) http://www.publicnewsservice.org/2013-12-13/peace/wreaths-honor-ohio-veterans-during-the- holidays/a36247-1 (Dec. 13)

The Daily News Online (Batavia, N.Y.) http://thedailynewsonline.com/news/article_88f3e0b4-63aa-11e3-bde6-0019bb2963f4.html (Dec. 13)

Southern Maryland Newspapers Online http://www.somdnews.com/article/20131213/NEWS/131219605/1084/wreaths-across-america- program-set-for-dec-14-at-veterans-cemetery&template=southernMaryland (Dec. 13)

90.5 WCBE (Columbus, Ohio) http://wcbe.org/post/weekend-ceremonies-will-honor-veterans (Dec. 13) Waco (Tex.) Tribune http://www.wacotrib.com/news/briefly/waco-area-news-briefs-dec/article_fbea0916-cab6-5c3b- be0e-e34c5e540275.html (Dec. 13)

Overdrive Online (Springfield, Mo.) http://www.overdriveonline.com/prime-participates-wreaths-across-america/ (Dec. 12)

KOAM-TV (CBS affiliate in Pittsburg, Kan.) http://www.koamtv.com/story/24205609/local-civil-air-patrol-unit-participating-in-wreath-laying- salute-to-veterans (Dec. 12)

Fremont (Neb.) Tribune http://fremonttribune.com/news/local/wreath-laying-ceremony-is-saturday/article_40e819aa- 7a55-53b9-af50-c994acca4241.html (Dec. 12)

Public News Service (Eugene, Ore.) http://www.publicnewsservice.org/2013-12-13/community-issues-and-volunteering/this- weekend-holiday-greenery-for-or-veterans-graves/a36268-1 (Dec. 12)

TheSpectrum.com (St. George, Utah) http://www.thespectrum.com/article/20131211/NEWS01/312110016/Civil-Air-Patrol-cadets- honor-vets (Dec. 11)

CentralKyNews.com http://www.centralkynews.com/jessaminejournal/news/local/camp-nelson-cemetery-to-host- wreaths-across-america-saturday/article_2182edae-60f7-11e3-8d59-001a4bcf6878.html (Dec. 9)

The Advocate (Baton Rouge, La.) http://theadvocate.com/features/people/7754465-123/calendartheadvocatecom (Dec. 9)

Yakima (Wash.) Herald http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/1731256-8/wreath-dedicated-to-honor-soldiers-sacrifices (Dec. 9)

Clarksville (Tenn.) Online http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2013/12/08/civil-air-patrol-seeks-sponsors-wreaths-veterans- graves/ (Dec. 8)

Gainesville (Ga.) Times http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/section/6/article/92674/ (Dec. 8)

Tampa Tribune http://tbo.com/list/military-news/altman-wreaths-reporter-follow-similar-paths-20131208/ (Dec. 8)

Pensacola (Fla.) News Journal http://www.pnj.com/article/20131208/NEWS12/312080019/?gcheck=1&nclick_check=1 (Dec. 7)

Gwinnett (Ga.) Daily Post http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/news/2013/dec/06/local-civil-air-patrol-unit-to-place-wreaths- on/ (Dec. 6)

Idaho State Journal http://www.idahostatejournal.com/news/local/civil-air-patrol-seeks-sponsors-for-wreaths-on- veterans-graves/article_ab530d9e-5d9f-11e3-80a1-001a4bcf887a.html (Dec. 5)

The NewsLeaders.net (St. Joseph, Minn.) http://www.thenewsleaders.net/2013/12/05/dec-6- 3/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dec-6-3 (Dec. 5)

Great Falls (Mont.) Tribune http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20131204/NEWS01/312040036/Cadets-place-wreaths- graves?nclick_check=1 (Dec. 4)

North Dallas Gazette http://northdallasgazette.com/2013/12/04/holiday-wreath-laying-to-honor-veterans/ (Dec. 4)

PostCrescent.com (Appleton, Wis.) http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20131205/SPJ10/312050124/Wreaths-Across-America- honor-veterans?gcheck=1&nclick_check=1 (Dec. 4)

TheChattanoogan.com http://www.chattanoogan.com/2013/12/4/264819/Chattanooga-National-Cemetery-To-Host.aspx (Dec. 4)

TheBayonet.com (Fort Benning, Ga.) http://www.thebayonet.com/2013/12/02/512428/auburn-squadron-to-host-wreath.html (Dec. 2)

GoSanAngelo.com (San Angelo, Texas) http://www.gosanangelo.com/news/2013/dec/01/local-civil-air-patrol-unit-participating-in-to/ (Dec. 1)

Parkersburg (W.Va.) News & Sentinel http://www.parkersburgnews.com/page/content.detail/id/580720/Local-Civil-Air-Patrol-unit-to- lay-wreaths-for-vets.html?nav=5061 (Nov. 29)

Bismarck (N.D.) Tribune http://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/veterans-wreath-goal-is-within-sight/article_fe96faaa- 57f6-11e3-b782-001a4bcf887a.html (Nov. 28) http://csinewsnow.com/?p=32440 The Brookings (S.D.) Register http://www.brookingsregister.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&page=76&story_id=19333 (Nov. 27) Town and Country-Manchester (Mo.) Patch http://townandcountry-manchester.patch.com/groups/announcements/p/veterans-wreath- sponsorship-help-needed_bb650d6b (Nov. 27)

Benzina http://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/13/11/p4093699/wreaths-across-america-join-merritt- other-civil-air-patrol-members-in-h (Nov. 19)

PRWeb http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/11/prweb11349215.htm (Nov. 19)

Street Insider http://www.streetinsider.com/Press+Releases/Wreaths+Across+America+Join+Merritt,+Other+C ivil+Air+Patrol+Members+in+Honoring+U.S.+Military+Veterans/8906597.html (Nov. 19)

The Daily News (Jacksonville, N.C.) http://www.jdnews.com/news/military/sponsors-sought-for-wreath-program-1.236686 (Nov. 19)

MCRecord.com (Morrison County, Minn.) http://mcrecord.com/2013/11/14/challenging-times-lay-ahead-wreathsforthe-fallen-org/ (Nov. 14)

14 News WRIE-TV (NBC affiliate in Evansville, Ind.) http://www.14news.com/story/23958413/wreaths-to-remember-veterans-during-holidays-at-oak- hill-cemetery (Nov. 13) WAVE 3 News (NBC affiliate in Louisville, Ky.) http://www.wave3.com/story/23958413/wreaths-to-remember-veterans-during-holidays-at-oak- hill-cemetery (Nov. 13)

19 Action News (Cleveland, Ohio) http://www.19actionnews.com/story/23958413/wreaths-to-remember-veterans-during-holidays- at-oak-hill-cemetery (Nov. 13) Plainsman.com (Huron, S.D.) http://www.plainsman.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&page=75&story_id=21304 (Nov. 11) CBS Local Media (Little Falls, Minn.) http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2013/11/10/finding-minnesota-wreaths-for-the-fallen-in-little-falls/ (Nov. 10) GoSanAngelo.com (San Angelo, Texas) http://www.gosanangelo.com/news/2013/nov/07/donations-taken-for-wreath- project/?partner=RSS (Nov. 7) Aitkin Independent Age (Isle, Minn.) http://www.messagemedia.co/aitkin/community/features/article_5ea5303c-40ba-11e3-8210- 001a4bcf6878.html (Nov. 1)