December 19 is National Wreaths Across America Day
When Morrill Worcester was 12, he won a trip to Washington D.C. that included a trip to Arlington National Cemetery. This trip left a lasting impression on Worcester, who later founded the Worcester Wreath Company (Wreaths Across America).
At the end of the 1992 holiday season, Worcester’s company was left with a surplus of wreaths. With the memory of the trip still on his mind, Worcester decided to use this opportunity to honor the veterans buried at Arlington. Worcester, assisted by Maine Senator Olympia Snowe and others, arranged for wreaths to be placed in a section of Arlington Cemetery that was older and receiving less attention as the years passed (Wreaths Across America).
When word spread about what Worcester was doing, additional individuals and groups volunteered to help including James Prout, owner of the Blue Bird Ranch trucking company who provided transportation; volunteers from the American Legion and VFW Posts; and members of the community (Wreaths Across America).
In 2007, the Worcester family, along with various other groups and individuals, founded the non-profit Wreaths Across America organization. According to the Wreaths Across America site, “The mission of the group is simple: Remember. Honor. Teach.”
The event is currently held on the second or third Saturday in December in over 1,400 locations including all 50 states plus Puerto Rico and some overseas locations, placing hundreds of thousands of wreaths (Militarybenefits.info).
Want to know how you can get involved? Consider doing one of the following:
- Start a fundraising group
- Volunteer to place wreaths on veterans’ graves
- Sponsor a wreath
- Suggest a new location
More information about the event and opportunities to participate can be found by clicking on our links below. Waitte’s Insurance Agency is proud to be part of a community that honors the contributions of our nation’s veterans. Give us a call when you are ready to discuss your unique insurance needs.