Dear AHG Families,

On December 12, local AHG troops will be supporting Wreaths Across America by honoring our nation’s fallen military men and women. Our local AHG troops have the opportunity to honor a national cemetery, the US Soldiers and Airman's Home National Cemetery in DC. In order for this to be a success, we need the help and dedication of many people, including AHG girls and parents.

Closer to the event a Signup Genius link will be forwarded through your troop with other positions for girls and adults who wish to volunteer on the day of the event. This will give other opportunities for girls to help.

This year we will have an AHG girl choir sing the National Anthem, all levels are welcome. Darlene Taylor Troop Coordinator for VA 2010 will be directing. Rehearsals will be held at Pender UMC on November 14 and 24 and on December 5 at 10 am, rehearsals will be held outdoors, please dress accordingly. For information on joining the choir, please contact Darlene Taylor at ith girls name, level and voice part if known. No application is necessary but the uniform listed below will be required and a signed photography waiver.

For the following positions, please fill out the attached application and submit to the board via email no later than October 23 The application should be sent to . The application MUST be submitted from a parents/guardians email account or a parent/guardian must be CC’d. Each applicant will be considered and possibly have a personal interview with the board. Girls who have held a position in the past will be considered for a position this year but may be selected to be an alternate.

  • 1 (one) Patriot to be the commander of the ceremony. This will consist of reading the script during the ceremony and giving directions for the laying of the wreaths. Applicants must be currently pursuing Stars and Stripes.
  • 5 (five) Pi/Pa Color Guard flag carriers to carry the following flags: American, DC, Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. Our trainers will decide which flag each girl will carry.
  • 2 (two) Explorer Honor Guard flag escorts
  • 7 (seven) Tenderheart, Explorer or Pi/Pa escorts for service wreaths. This would consist of you walking beside an active duty military member, a military veteran, or a merchant marine so they can place the service wreath at the designated place.
  • 1 (one) Prayer leader, any level. Due to the possibility of many faith groups being represented, the prayer must be open to all faiths. This means the closing of the prayer should be something like “In your name we pray” or only “Amen”. The selected person must type and submit the prayer for approval to the board no later than November 16, please send to bekiszmb@verizon. She must be extremely comfortable speaking in front of a large group of people.
  • 1 (one ) Poem reader, any level. The selected person should find or write a poem honoring our nation’s heroes. The poem must be submitted to the board for approval no later than November 16 please send to . She must be extremely comfortable speaking in front of a large group of people.

Each girl submitting an application must request a recommendation from her Troop Coordinator/Co-Coordinator or Level Leader, it must be received by the committee by October 23. Recommendations will be forwarded directly to the AHG Wreaths Across America (WAA) committee a . Each girl submitting an application must have a signed AHG Photograph, Film or Vocal Recording Media Release, please submit with your application.

For those selected to serve on the Honor/Color Guard, training is required. Training will be held on November 21 and December 5, at Saint Francis de sales in Purcellville, the time will be determined based upon girl availability question on the application.

Each girl chosen to be a part of the ceremony, and choir members must wear the uniform below:

  • A pressed, long sleeved polo shirt (red/white), not a short sleeve shirt with a layer underneath. No coat will be able to be worn, so layers (like Under Armour, Thermals, just to name a few) may be needed in the event of cold weather.
  • Khaki/Blue dress Pants according to level must be pressed and creased (if creases are in pants). Again, layering may be needed.
  • Black, closed toe shoes. If snow is on the ground black snow boots are acceptable, no color may show under the edge of your pants. No ballet slippers, dress shoes, etc.
  • Vest/kerchief or sash should be pressed and clean and will be worn during the ceremony.
  • Hair (if able) must be controlled in a ponytail or bun. The hair tie should be close to the color of your hair. No headbands or decorative hair accessories are allowed. If hair is too short for ponytail/bun, it must be secured out of your face with hair pins or barrettes in your hair color.

Final run through and instructions will be at 10 am on December 12th at the cemetery, all ceremony and choir participants must be on time.

Thank you in advance for submitting your application.

Blessings,

DC Area AHG Wreaths across America Board

Photograph, Film or Vocal Recording Media Release

I authorize this release based on the following conditions:

  1. These records become the property of American Heritage Girls (AHG)
  2. This release is given without promise of compensation
  3. This is effective until terminated by a retraction in writing from the person granting the authorization
  4. The parent/legal guardian and AHG member do release to AHG any right, title and/or interest of any kind they may have in the records produced.

I hereby grant to American Heritage Girls the right and authority to photograph, film and/or record vocally. These records may be used for promotional or publicity purposes and may be published in mass media publications, in AHG quarterly newsletter and other AHG publications, on AHG’s internet site, or shown on television or movie presentations. The member and family’s last name may be used. This release is effective until revoked in writing by the undersigned. Such revocation shall only be effective to prevent any expanded future use of the records.

By signature below, I acknowledge and accept all terms and conditions of this Consent, Waiver, and Release Agreement. If I am signing this Consent, Waiver, and Release Agreement on behalf of a minor, I certify that all representations are true and that I am the minor’s legal guardian or custodial parent with full authority to bind the minor and myself to the terms and conditions of this Consent, Waiver, and Release Agreement.

Parent/Guardian Signature______Date______

WAA Girl Application

Name:______Email (if you have one):______

Parents/Guardian Email: ______Telephone Number:______

Circle: Tenderheart ExplorerPioneerPatriotTroop#:______

Currently working on Stars and Stripes: YESNO

Position(s) you are interested in: 1) ______2)______

Give a brief explanation why you would like to be selected for this honor:

______

Submission of this application to the board implies you agree to attend all training sessions, wear the proscribed uniform, follow all instructions given and arrive at the cemetery at the appropriate time.

The application and recommendation must be received via email by October 23 to .

Please list times that are on your personal calendar that might be in conflict with the dates selected for training: ______

I have read the above rules and agree to meet all requirements to the best of my ability.

Signature:______Date: ______

As a parent/guardian of ______, I have read the above rules and am in agreement with them. I understand it is my responsibility to ensure my child is at the required practices on time and failure to show more than one time, will require an alternate to be used for the ceremony.

Parent/Guardian Signature: ______Date: ______

For committee use only:

Application on time______

Been part of ceremony in the past______

Committee recommendation______

Troop Recommendation received______