December 10,2010 I was honored to be a guest speaker at the Wreaths Across America event in Iowa City, Iowa. It was a very cold cold rainy day but that did not stop the many volunteers and Boy Scouts from making sure every Veterans grave received a wreath.
Wreaths Across America™, was formed as an extension of the Arlington Wreath Project. The Arlington Wreath program was started by Morrill Worcester (Worcester Wreath) in 1992 with the donation and laying of 5000 Christmas wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery. This became an annual journey for Mr. Worcester.
It was relatively obscure until 2005 when a photo of the stones adorned with wreaths and covered in snow circulated around the internet. The project received National attention. Thousands of requests poured in from all over the country from people wanting to emulate the Arlington project at their National and State cemeteries spurred the creation of “Wreaths Across America™”. Unable to donate thousands of wreaths to each state, Mr. Worcester conceived the idea of sending 7 wreaths (one for each branch of the military as well as POW/MIA). In 2006 with the help of the CAP and other civic organizations, over 150 locations held wreath laying ceremonies simultaneously.
The Patriot Guard Riders volunteered as escort for the wreaths going to Arlington. This began the annual “Veterans Honor Parade” that travels the east coast in early December.
By 2007 the requests for more wreaths grew. The Worcester family established the non-profit group Wreaths Across America™ to further promote Veterans remembrance. The mission Remember, Honor and Teach characterized the projects goals perfectly.
By 2008 over 300 locations held wreath laying ceremonies in every state, Puerto Rico and 24 over seas cemeteries. Over 100,000 wreaths were placed on veterans graves. Over 60,000 volunteers participated.
WAA reached out to thousands of children with the message of Remember, Honor and Teach. The importance of honoring each fallen serviceman as an individual is stressed.
The wreath laying is now held annually on the second Saturday of December. December 13, 2008 was unanimously voted by the US Congress as “Wreaths Across America™ Day”. Wreaths Across America™ would not be successful without the help of the volunteers, many active organizations and the generosity of the trucking industry.
I wish to give special thanks to Mike, LeAnn and Maria Tyson who work year round to promote Wreaths and have spent countless hours searching the cemetary for the graves of our Veterans. They have even gone as far as doing pencil rubbings on paper to see the names on the older stones!!
I am proud to say I have a new tradition to add to my life..... making sure the 2nd Saturday of December is spent with Wreaths Across America. My goal is to someday make it to Arlington National Cemetary to lay wreaths.
If you would like more information on Wreaths Across America or would like to start the tradition in your community, please contact me or visit http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/
No comments:
Post a Comment