Wreaths Across America - Saturday, December 15, 2012

Arlington National Cemetery

Tomorrow marks the twentieth anniversary that holiday wreaths will be placed on veteran’s graves in Arlington National Cemetery.  What began as a labor of love for a Virginia man has grown into a national organization known as Wreaths Across America. Wreaths are now being laid at veteran’s graves and cemeteries throughout the country, in all 50 states, on one special Saturday in December.

WAA Logo

Volunteers

Wreaths Across America (WAA) is a non-profit organization that was founded to continue and expand the annual wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery that began in 1992.  Their motto:  Remember, Honor, Teach, is still as important and vital as it was when the organization began.

Military Graves

Unboxing Wreaths

Over 100,000 balsam wreaths will be displayed on the headstones at Arlington this year.  Over 400,000 wreaths will be shipped to locations throughout the US, and abroad.

Unloading Trucks at a Cemetery

S.A.R. Volunteers

This year's annual theme: Then, Now, Forever – Let’s Make it Personal” was chosen because many military families fear that their loved one’s sacrifice might be forgotten.  According to WAA Executive Director Karen Worcester, “Our goal is to make this year come alive in the stories, imaginations, and memories of all those who serve and sacrifice.” 

Awaiting the Veteran's Parade

Parade of Trucks

The Veteran’s Parade is a week-long trip from Harrington, Maine to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. WAA stops along the way for tributes and ceremonies to remember our fallen veterans, honor those who serve, and teach others about the sacrifices made by veterans and their families. 

Patriot Guard Riders

Trucks In Route to Virginia with Wreaths

The Veteran’s Parade is escorted along the East Coast route by the Patriot Guard Riders.  The group volunteered their services in 2006 and has continued to offer their support for the weeklong driving event.

Children Line Parade Route

Volunteer Trucker Scott Harris

Over 50 national trucking companies have volunteered the use of their trucks this year, and volunteer truckers from across America are giving of their time in picking up and delivering the wreaths to designated towns across the country, just in time for this Saturday's official wreath laying ceremonies.

All Veterans are Honored

WAA uses live wreaths as a living tribute to recognize and honor those who served.  They would like this symbolic gesture to be seen as a tradition, as a living memorial to honor veterans and their families.

  

Shanksville, Pennsylvania

Wreath Laying Ceremony

Wreath laying ceremonies will take place around the country tomorrow, in cemeteries large and small. A wreath display will also be set up to honor the victims of 9-11 in New York City, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

WAA Radio

The National Wreaths Across America Remembrance ceremony at Arlington Cemetery will be held at 12 Noon EST tomorrow, December 15^th.  You can follow the events on WAA Radio @ http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/about-us/news/

Wreaths are paid for by individuals, groups, sponsors, and corporate donors. Individual wreath sponsorships are only $15.  Last year, over 1,100 groups raised funds to assist the wreath sponsorship program. If you would like to sponsor a wreath for the 2013 Wreaths Across Americas Remembrance celebration, visit http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/store/

To learn more about Wreaths Across America, visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org

Or find them on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/WAAHQ?fref=ts

Pierre Claeyssens

Wreaths Across America

As Pierre Claeyssens said, “To be killed in war is not the worst that can happen. To be lost is not the worst that can happen... to be forgotten is the worst.”

~Joy

Wreaths Across America – Saturday, December 10th

Wreaths Across America

Tomorrow communities all across America will gather together to honor our fallen veterans during the annual Wreaths Across America Day.

Wreaths at Arlington

Morrill Worcester

Wreaths Across America began 20 years ago when the Morrill Worcester, owner of the Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine, decided to donate live wreaths and have them placed on the headstones at Arlington National Cemetery.  Military families expressed profound appreciation for this gesture, pointing out how difficult and emotional the holiday season can be for a veteran’s family.

Ceremony Locations for tomorrow

Over 600 ceremonies will be held throughout the country tomorrow, in national cemeteries, public and private graveyards, and in State House ceremonies in all 50 states, all to honor those veterans who have given the ultimate sacrifice. 

Wreaths on the prairie

Fresh evergreen wreaths will be placed to honor of each branch of the service, Army, Marines, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, and MIA/POW, along with wreaths put on individual graves.  In Arlington Cemetery alone over 100,000 wreaths will be placed.

WAA Poster

The objective of Wreaths Across America is to teach the younger generation about the sacrifices that war can require and offer an appropriate manner to honor those who have served.  “Remember, Honor and Teach” is their motto.  Most ceremony coordinators will offer a short briefing on the proper etiquette of laying a wreath.  Youth organizations and school groups across the country will be taking part.

Truck convoy of wreaths

Parade route down the East Coast

A parade of escorts, friends and trucks started in Maine on Sunday, December 6^th, scheduled to arrive at Arlington with fresh wreaths gathered throughout the trip for tomorrow’s ceremonies. During the 5-day journey, the motorcade stopped in communities all along the East Coast, spreading the word and encouraging Americans to “Remember, Honor and Teach.”   The Patriot Guard Riders escorted them to veterans’ homes, schools, and monuments all along the way.

A Veteran remembers

It is expected that over 400,000 wreaths will be placed tomorrow throughout cemeteries in all fifty of the United States.  Over 160,000 volunteers, many veterans, will take part in the events.

Honoring our fallen

If you are interested in attending a ceremony or taking part, check out their website at Wreaths Across America, http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/

Or connect with Wreaths Across America on their Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/WAAHQ

~ Joy

(All photos courtesy of Wreaths Across America website and Facebook pages.)