Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime - Adlaie Stevenson |
The tradition of laying wreaths to honor our veterans during the holiday season began in 1992, when Morrill Worcester of Worcester Wreath Company (Harrington, Maine) was stuck with a number of extra wreaths at the close of the holiday season. Remembering a boyhood trip to the Nation’s Capitol and the sacred grounds of Arlington National Cemetery, he donated 5,000 wreaths to be placed at the headstones of an older section of the cemetery.
What began as one man’s gesture, has now grown into a national movement. The Worthington Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution began laying wreaths on veteran's graves at Flint Road Cemetery, St. John's Episcopal Cemetery, and Walnut Grove Cemetery in 2017. It is our goal to cover all the graves one day. In 2018 all the graves at Flint Road Cemetery and St. John's Episcopal Cemetery were covered as well as some in the South Front section of Walnut Grove. Today, more than 1,400 locations participate on a Saturday in December in laying the wreaths out of remembrance and respect for our nation's brave servicemen and women. We are excited to be apart of this great endeavor. |
National Theme for 2022
Find a Way to ServeEach year, millions of Americans come together to REMEMBER the fallen, HONOR those that serve and their families, and TEACH the next generation about the value of freedom. This gathering of volunteers and patriots takes place in local and national cemeteries in all 50 states - most recently at more than 3,100 participating locations - as part of National Wreaths Across America Day. Each year, a new theme is chosen to help volunteers and supporters focus their messaging and outreach in their own communities. Today, the national nonprofit announces the theme for 2022 is “Find a way to serve.” To read more about this years theme click on the link below. Find a Way to Server About Wreaths Across America Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization's mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as at hundreds of veterans' cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. For more information or to sponsor a wreath please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org. SOURCE Wreaths Across America |
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