Wreaths Across America
“We had the privilege of visiting Wreaths Across America’s National Headquarters in Columbia Falls, Maine. Although we have sponsored the wreath laying event in Bushnell for several years, touring their facility and forest gave us a true appreciation of the meaning “From Stem to Stone.” Morrill Worcester, his family and volunteers do such an incredible job teaching our youth the importance of honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice protecting our freedom. It was truly humbling to learn and understand their mission: Remember our fallen US Veterans, Honor those who serve, Teach your children the value of freedom! – FRAN HAASCH
THE WREATHS STORY
Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Company of Harrington, Maine, was a 12-year-old paper boy for the Bangor Daily News when he won a trip to Washington D.C. His first trip to our nation’s capital was one he would never forget, and Arlington National Cemetery made an especially indelible impression on him. This experience followed him throughout his life and successful career in business, reminding him that his good fortune was due, in large part, to the values of this nation and the Veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their Country.
In 1992, Worcester Wreath found themselves with a surplus of wreaths nearing the end of the holiday season. Remembering his boyhood experience at Arlington, Worcester realized he had an opportunity to honor our country’s Veterans. With the help of Maine Senator Olympia Snowe, arrangements were made for the wreaths to be placed at Arlington in one of the older sections of the cemetery, a section which had been receiving fewer visitors with each passing year.
As plans were underway, a number of other individuals and organizations stepped up to help. James Prout, owner of local trucking company Blue Bird Ranch, Inc., generously provided transportation all the way to Virginia. Volunteers from the local American Legion and VFW Posts gathered with members of the community to decorate each wreath with traditional red, handtied bows. Members of the Maine State Society of Washington, D.C. helped to organize the wreath-laying, which included a special ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The annual tribute went on quietly for several years, until 2005, when a photo of the stones at Arlington, adorned with wreaths and covered in snow, circulated around the internet. Suddenly, the project received national attention. Thousands of requests poured in from all over the country from people wanting to help with Arlington, to emulate the Arlington project at their National and State cemeteries, or to simply share their stories and thank Morrill Worcester for honoring our nation’s heroes.
Unable to donate thousands of wreaths to each state, Worcester began sending seven wreaths to every state, one for each branch of the military, and for POW/MIAs. In 2006, with the help of the Civil Air Patrol and other civic organizations, simultaneous wreath-laying ceremonies were held at over 150 locations around the country. The Patriot Guard Riders volunteered as the escort for the wreaths going to Arlington. This began the annual “Veterans Honor Parade” that travels the east coast in early December.
The annual trip to Arlington and the groups of volunteers eager to participate in Worcester’s simple wreath-laying event grew each year until it became clear the desire to remember and honor our country’s fallen heroes was bigger than Arlington and bigger than this one company.
In 2007, the Worcester family, along with veterans, and other groups and individuals who had helped with their annual Christmas wreath ceremony in Arlington, formed Wreaths Across America, a non-profit 501-c3 organization, to continue and expand this effort, and support other groups around the country who wanted to do the same. The mission of the group is simple: Remember. Honor. Teach.
www.wreathsacrossamerica.org
THE FLORIDA CONNECTION:
Wreaths Across America’s mission is to “Remember” our fallen veterans worldwide, “Honor” those that have and are serving, and to “Teach” our children about Patriotism, and what our veterans and their families sacrifice to preserve the freedoms that we enjoy.
Started in Arlington in 1992 and has covered every headstone in Arlington for the past five years. This year Wreaths Across America will be at over 1,600 cemeteries in the US and for the first time, Wreaths will cover ever marble cross at the Normandy American Cemetery in Normandy, France! Wreaths Across America received approval to place 9,387 wreaths on every white marble cross at the Normandy American Cemetery this year, those wreaths will be placed on 1 December. The wreaths left from Dulles Airport and are currently in route to France. It is estimated that 2 million wreaths will be placed on veterans graves this year, at over 1,600 cemeteries which 15 are in your viewing area. To find a location you can go to wreathsacrossamerica.org. The date for Wreaths Across America this year is December 15th.
Our wreath goal at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL is 30,000 wreaths, last year we placed over 27,000 wreaths. We are currently short of our goal by 15,000 wreaths. Wreath placing will begin approx. 10:40 AM and our ceremony will begin approx. 11:40 AM. We generally have upwards of 9,000 people attend our wreath placing and ceremony. The USCENTCOM CoS will be our keynote speaker this year, and the USCENTCOM All Service Color Guard will be posting and retiring the colors.
We also feature two motorcycle escorts for the wreaths going to the cemetery, one escort which stages and eaves from Poly Technic University, and the other out of the Walmart Distribution Center in Brooksville, FL. Leave times will vary.
The wreaths will arrive at both the Walmart distribution center in Brooksville and at Saddle Creek Logistics Services in Lakeland, FL between December 12th and 13th. Sponsor a Wreath Today
www.wreathsacrossamerica.org
