“Wreaths Across America”
The holidays are filled with many wonderful traditions. When Morrill and Karen Worcester, owners of Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, delivered the first wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery 17 years ago, they began what has now become a meaningful tradition of honoring all of those who served and sacrificed for our freedom.
What began as a small band of volunteers who laid the wreaths quietly and with little notice has grown into a national phenomenon called “Wreaths Across America.” This month, volunteers will again gather at Arlington to lay wreaths at the grave sites of our nation’s fallen soldiers and veterans. In all, at least 100,000 wreaths will be placed in 350 locations, including at our national cemetery, at veterans cemeteries in America and abroad, and donated to veterans. These beautiful Maine balsam fir wreaths, each emblazed with a bright red ribbon, are made by expert Maine wreath-makers and donated by the Morrill’s company. In addition, the Blue Bird Ranch Trucking Company of Jonesboro generously donates the transportation.
This year, as they have for several years, members of my Washington, D.C. staff will join hundreds of other volunteers from local VFW, American Legion Posts, and military units who will place wreaths at the grave sites of military personnel buried at Arlington. Wreaths will also be placed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, at the grave site of former President John F. Kennedy, at the U.S.S. Maine Memorial, at the grave site of former Maine Governor, U.S. Senator, and Secretary of State Edmund S. Muskie, and at the grave sites of those honored military personnel who have died fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. The sight of all those wreaths laid on that hallowed ground is truly inspiring.
Wreaths Across America honors our fallen heroes, but it does even more. It tells the veterans still with us that we honor their service. It tells the families of the departed that we share their loss. It tells our men and women in uniform today that we are grateful for their courage, sacrifice, and devotion to duty.
In recognition of the Worcester family’s hard work and generosity, the United States Senate unanimously passed a Resolution that I authored along with Senator Snowe designating December 13, 2008 as “Wreaths Across America Day.” This resolution honors all of those who make this tradition possible and recognizes the sacrifices our veterans, service members and their families have made, and continue to make, for our great nation.
Morrill Worcester describes his commitment to Wreaths Across America this way: “I make it my business never to forget.” Thanks to him and Karen, to the dedicated employees of Worcester Wreath and Blue Bird Ranch Trucking, and to the thousands of supporters throughout our nation, America will never forget.
In this season of giving, the thoughts of all Americans turn to those who have given us the most precious gift of all, our freedom. All Mainers should be proud that an incredibly generous expression of America’s gratitude began right here in our state and it has become an inspiring holiday tradition.
What began as a small band of volunteers who laid the wreaths quietly and with little notice has grown into a national phenomenon called “Wreaths Across America.” This month, volunteers will again gather at Arlington to lay wreaths at the grave sites of our nation’s fallen soldiers and veterans. In all, at least 100,000 wreaths will be placed in 350 locations, including at our national cemetery, at veterans cemeteries in America and abroad, and donated to veterans. These beautiful Maine balsam fir wreaths, each emblazed with a bright red ribbon, are made by expert Maine wreath-makers and donated by the Morrill’s company. In addition, the Blue Bird Ranch Trucking Company of Jonesboro generously donates the transportation.
This year, as they have for several years, members of my Washington, D.C. staff will join hundreds of other volunteers from local VFW, American Legion Posts, and military units who will place wreaths at the grave sites of military personnel buried at Arlington. Wreaths will also be placed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, at the grave site of former President John F. Kennedy, at the U.S.S. Maine Memorial, at the grave site of former Maine Governor, U.S. Senator, and Secretary of State Edmund S. Muskie, and at the grave sites of those honored military personnel who have died fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. The sight of all those wreaths laid on that hallowed ground is truly inspiring.
Wreaths Across America honors our fallen heroes, but it does even more. It tells the veterans still with us that we honor their service. It tells the families of the departed that we share their loss. It tells our men and women in uniform today that we are grateful for their courage, sacrifice, and devotion to duty.
In recognition of the Worcester family’s hard work and generosity, the United States Senate unanimously passed a Resolution that I authored along with Senator Snowe designating December 13, 2008 as “Wreaths Across America Day.” This resolution honors all of those who make this tradition possible and recognizes the sacrifices our veterans, service members and their families have made, and continue to make, for our great nation.
Morrill Worcester describes his commitment to Wreaths Across America this way: “I make it my business never to forget.” Thanks to him and Karen, to the dedicated employees of Worcester Wreath and Blue Bird Ranch Trucking, and to the thousands of supporters throughout our nation, America will never forget.
In this season of giving, the thoughts of all Americans turn to those who have given us the most precious gift of all, our freedom. All Mainers should be proud that an incredibly generous expression of America’s gratitude began right here in our state and it has become an inspiring holiday tradition.
