Senate Passes Collins, King Resolution Marking December 12, 2015 as “Wreaths Across America Day”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution designating Saturday, December 12, 2015 as “Wreaths Across America Day.”
On December 12th, a convoy of volunteers is scheduled to arrive at Arlington National Cemetery to lay approximately 230,000 Maine-made balsam wreaths at the grave site of each American veteran interred there. This is the 24th consecutive year that Morrill and Karen Worcester, owners of Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine will make this generous donation. The procession to Arlington began on December 6th in Harrington where Patriot Guard Riders continued their tradition of escorting the wreath trucks down the East Coast. In addition to Arlington National Cemetery, volunteers will place wreaths at over 1,000 locations in all 50 states and in numerous national veteran cemeteries on foreign soil.
“Wreaths Across America is a powerful demonstration of respect and appreciation for our veterans – both those that we’ve lost and those still with us – that reminds them and their families that we are eternally grateful for their service and sacrifice,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “And this proud tradition, still going strong after the Worcester’s started it 24 years ago, is built on the same spirit of generosity that helps make the holiday season so special. We are honored to join with the countless volunteers and supporters who come together to make Wreaths Across America possible and share in honoring and remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.”
The resolution is below:
+++
Whereas, 24 years before the date of adoption of this resolution,
the Wreaths Across America project began with an
annual tradition that occurs in December, of donating,
transporting, and placing 5,000 Maine balsam fir remembrance
wreaths on the graves of the fallen heroes buried
at Arlington National Cemetery;
Whereas, in the 24 years preceding the date of adoption of
this resolution, more than 2,416,000 wreaths have been
sent to locations, including national cemeteries and veterans
memorials, in every State and overseas;
Whereas the mission of the Wreaths Across America project,
to ‘‘Remember, Honor, Teach’’, is carried out in part by
coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in all 50 States
and overseas, including at—
(1) Arlington National Cemetery;
(2) veterans cemeteries; and
(3) other locations;
Whereas the Wreaths Across America project carries out a
week-long veterans parade between Maine and Virginia,
stopping along the way to spread a message about the
importance of—
(1) remembering the fallen heroes of the United
States;
(2) honoring those who serve; and
(3) reminding the people of the United States about
the sacrifices made by veterans and their families to preserve
freedoms in the United States;
Whereas, in 2014, approximately 716,000 remembrance
wreaths were sent to more than 1,000 locations across
the United States and overseas, an increase of more than
100 locations compared to the previous year;
Whereas, in December 2015, the tradition of escorting tractor-
trailers filled with donated wreaths from Harrington,
Maine, to Arlington National Cemetery will be continued
by—
(1) the Patriot Guard Riders; and
(2) other patriotic escort units, including—
(A) motorcycle units;
(B) law enforcement units; and
(C) first responder units;
Whereas hundreds of thousands of individuals volunteer each
December to help lay remembrance wreaths;
Whereas the trucking industry in the United States continues
to support the Wreaths Across America project by providing
drivers, equipment, and related services to assist
in the transportation of wreaths across the United States
to over 1,000 locations;
Whereas the Senate designated December 13, 2014, as
‘‘Wreaths Across America Day’’; and
Whereas, on December 12, 2015, the Wreaths Across America
project will continue the proud legacy of bringing remembrance
wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) designates December 12, 2015, as ‘‘Wreaths
Across America Day’’;
(2) honors—
(A) the Wreaths Across America project;
(B) patriotic escort units, including—
(i) motorcycle units;
(ii) law enforcement units; and
(iii) first responder units;
(C) the trucking industry in the United
States; and
(D) the volunteers and donors involved in
this worthy tradition; and
(3) recognizes—
(A) the service of veterans and members of
the Armed Forces; and
(B) the sacrifices that veterans, members
of the Armed Forces, and their families have
made, and continue to make,
for the United States, a great Nation.
