Wreaths Across Chattanooga kicked off over the weekend, and I recently learned a lot about it from Dean Jackson, my former neighbor Nancy Glascock’s mother. I’d heard about Wreaths Across America, the organization with a goal for placing wreaths on veterans’ graves during the holidays, but Wreaths across Chattanooga is different. Just ask Retired U.S. Navy Capt. Mickey L. McCamish, chairman of the organization.
Captain McCamish became involved with Wreaths Across Chattanooga for several reasons.
One is simply that freedom isn’t free.
“We can never forget those who made [this freedom] possible … I’ve experienced war and I know firsthand the impact of sacrifice made by all of us who served directly in a war area. We must remember and honor those who have served our country. Another reason is to offer a teaching opportunity for future generations to please not forget the sacrifices that have been made as our older generations pass away,” Capt. McCamish explained.
After volunteering for Wreaths Across America for a few years, Capt. McCamish realized the program was struggling for several reasons and basically only placing around 1,000 wreaths. Captain McCamish started a media/marketing campaign, which has grown from placing 1,000 wreaths to 31,000 wreaths in 2022. He came up with the name of Wreaths Across Chattanooga so that donors would feel more comfortable that their donations would remain in Chattanooga and at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.
Capt. McCamish graduated from UTC before beginning his 27-year Naval career, which included serving in Vietnam 1967-1969, for which he received several Letters of Commendation. Upon his retirement, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Award, the second highest peacetime award.
Following his Naval career he served 16 years as president of Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday and PGA tournament director of the Senior Tour Championship. While at Myrtle Beach, he received the State of South Carolina’s highest award of Silver Crescent, and was also honored as National Father of the Year. Past honorees include New York Yankee’s player Bobby Richardson, ESPN analyst and football coach Lou Holtz, and South Carolina Gov. Jim Hodges.
Captain McCamish returned to Chattanooga in 2008 and became very active in the community by serving on boards and volunteering. He was selected as the 2019 Daughters of the American Revolution Military Volunteer for Chattanooga area and was one of four finalists as United States Military Veteran of the Year. He was awarded the President of the United States Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023.
On the UTC board of directors, Capt. McCamish presently serves as executive director of Friends of the Festival, which produces the Riverbend Festival, Riverfront Nights, Freedom Festival in Collegedale, and the Grateful Gobbler. He also assists Allied Visual Arts with production of the Four Bridges Arts Festival.
Indeed, his volunteer service is extensive, but ensuring there is a wreath on every veteran’s grave is of utmost importance to him.
Wreaths may be donated at Chattareaveterans.com/WAC or by mailing check payable to Wreaths Across Chattanooga, 426 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402. The donation is $10 per wreath. If you desire to place a wreath on a specific grave, you can include the name on the gravestone and your contact information. Your wreath may also be placed on the grave of an unknown soldier. All wreaths (purchased locally) donated will be placed on graves in the Chattanooga National Cemetery on Saturday, Dec. 9.
There are nearly 50,000 graves at the Chattanooga National Cemetery. Please help us make sure ever single veteran is remembered this year.
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Ferris Robinson is the author of three children’s books, “The Queen Who Banished Bugs,” “The Queen Who Accidentally Banished Birds,” and “Call Me Arthropod” in her pollinator series “If Bugs Are Banished.” “Making Arrangements” is her first novel. “Dogs and Love - Stories of Fidelity” is a collection of true tales about man’s best friend. Her website is ferrisrobinson.com and you can download a free pollinator poster there. She is the editor of The Lookout Mountain Mirror and The Signal Mountain Mirror.