Redding's "Wreaths Across America" Deeply Personal for
Congressional Candidate
Colonel Pete Stiglich first places wreath on Dad's grave before laying wreaths at other tombstones.

A silver-haired Colonel Pete Stiglich lays a Christmas wreath on his Dad's tombstone [Anthony Charles Stiglich]. Colonel Pete retired from the Air Force a few years early in order to be with his father, Charlie, as he went though the long goodbye of Alzheimers. A sunny day made red bows on hundreds of wreathes glow in the sunlight as several hundred people participated in the Redding area's annual "Wreaths Across America" event. A true family affair, children annually take part in the program. Children are included in making presentations as well as putting wreaths on the graves. The motto of the wreaths program is "Remember, Honor, Teach". It is a moral code Colonel Pete fervently believes should be passed on to each generation. It is an encouraging event because in only a few years it has become well attended and because so many parents have incorporated the event into celebrating Christmas with their children. Colonel Stiglich recalled how it was in the beginning when he, and friends like Kim Chamberlain, began the local branch of the organization. Originally, he says, the volunteers worked long hours preparing the wreaths from real tree branches and wired the branches to wreath frames. He says he once remarked, while preparing the real wreaths, that it sure would be a lot easier to have the ready-made artificial wreaths. Some laughed at the idea figuring they knew that it could never happen. Happily they were wrong. Veterans Colonel Pete Stiglich and Carl Bott (Also KCNR radio talk host) stand at solemn attention with Linda Bott while taps is played for those lost in the wars. The cost of the programs is paid by individual wreaths sponsors, corporate donors and volunteer truckers. December 13, 2008 was unanimously voted by the US Congress as "Wreaths Across America Day". The wreath laying is held annually, on the second Saturday of every December. One can read about how "Wreaths Across America" began at:   http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/about-us/the-arlington-story/ Colonel Stiglich is running against Wally Herger for the newly created congressional district one. This will be the second time he has run against Herger. In 2010 Stiglich netted about one third of the GOP primary vote against Herger even though he was an unknown in most of the former district two. The 2012 congressional race is now an open primary. Thus far, there are four Republicans who have announced and one liberal Democrat, Jim Reed, who also ran against Herger in 2010. Col. Pete's campaign website is: http://www.colonelpete.com Updates are posted regularly.