Story 1

May 28, 2008

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA

REMEMBER THE FALLEN
HONOR THOSE WHO SERVE
TEACH OUR CHILDREN THE VALUE OF FREEDOM

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it onto our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed down to them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free." stated by: Ronald Reagan

Morrill and Karen Worcester wished to bring children and veterans together. This would be the ideal way of expressing appreciation for the past, present, and future sacrifices of our veterans and their families make for our country...this is why they created Wreaths Across America.

It all started with a trailer load of wreaths in 1992, over 16 years ago. The trailer was decorated by volunteers and when it arrived at Arlington Cemetery the wreaths were laid at the graves of the fallen soldiers. That first year they decorated the older sections of the cemetery, as those had fewer and fewer visitors. Over that period of time, Worcester Wreath has donated 90,000 wreaths which have been placed by volunteers in a wreath-laying ceremony each December. But as word spread, the mission to Remember; Honor; and Teach about the sacrifices made by our veterans has captured the hearts and minds of many communities across the Country.

In December 2007, 286 participating locations hosted Wreaths Across America ceremonies overseeing the placement of 32,553 wreaths on the headstones of those who served and sacrificed for our freedoms. In total, there are over 230 State and National veterans cemeteries, and veterans monuments across the country.

Prior to the wreath-laying ceremonies, cemetery administrative personnel give participants specific instructions regarding placement of wreaths. In most state/national cemeteries, participants are instructed to place wreaths only on graves bearing the Christian cross or nondenominational graves.

Both the Arlington Wreath Project and Wreaths Across America profess no political or religious agenda - but instead wish to remember and honor our veterans during the holidays - a time of traditional family gatherings - and teach our children that we are able to do so, in peace, because of the many sacrifices made by our military men and women.

With things so stressful in our daily lives, especially around Christmas time, it is nice to see something positive that makes With Things are so stressful in our daily lives, especially around Christmas time, it is nice to see something positive that makes everyone feel good.

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

Worcester Wreath Co. is by far the largest donor to the Wreaths Across America project. It is a vision that we, as a nation, will one day honor every veterans' memory for the holidays, as a way to show gratitude and appreciation for the sacrifices made to preserve our freedoms. Some of the items that were added by this company for 2007 were:
Doubling its annual donation to 10,000 wreaths destined for Arlington National Cemetery.

In addition to the Arlington Wreath Project, Worcester Wreath donated 2,500 wreaths to the Maine Veterans Cemetery at Togus, and more than 1,800 ceremonial wreaths, representing all branches of the armed forces, were sent to more than 200 other state and national veterans cemeteries across the country.

For the first time in 2007, ceremonial wreaths were also donated to 24 veterans cemeteries on foreign soil, and aboard U.S. ships sailing in all seven seas. And lastly, 51 wreaths were donated for a special wreath-laying ceremony at each state Capitol and a 36-inch ceremonial wreath for our nation's capital.