VFW Ladies Auxiliary District Treasurer Marge Buckley and Post 1602 President Maura Dibble are proud to introduce their first trip to Washington, D.C., for "Wreaths Across America." It will be the local debut of a national event honoring our nation's fallen veterans.
Open to men, women and children of all ages, the trip is being coordinated by "1st Choice Educational Tours." People from outside of Genesee County are also invited to participate.
The bus will depart from VFW Post 1602, at 25 Edwards St. in Batavia, at 6:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 13, and is estimated to arrive back in Batavia around 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15. Additional pick-up locations may be added for groups of eight or more.
"Wreaths Across America" is a ceremony in which wreaths are placed on the graves of fallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery as well as other cemeteries throughout the country. Travellers on this trip will get to be a part of the ceremony in Arlington at 8 a.m. on Dec. 14.
Dibble said it gives her "goosebumps" to see many of the wreaths on these graves, especially since some of them belong to unknown soldiers whose families and friends have passed on.
Buckley assures participants that they "will not be riding a school bus." Round trip transportation will be provided on a 56-passenger deluxe motor coach with a built-in restroom.
Price of admission also includes:
- a two-night stay at the Courtyard Marriott Pentagon South
- two breakfasts
- two dinners
- a lunch voucher at the Ronald Reagan Food Court
- a Night Illuminated Monument Tour in Washington, D.C.
- time to explore the Smithsonian Museum
- a 90-minute tram tour of Arlington Cemetery
- a two-hour guided tour of the battlefield at Gettysburg, Pa.
Cost is $399 based on double occupancy, $359 on triple occupancy, $339 on quad occupancy and $525 on single occupancy.
There are 15 seats still available. For more information, call Buckley at 344-1663 by the middle of this week.
