Wreaths Across America marks its 30th year
The goal of Wreaths Across America is to remember, honor and teach.
This year, the national Wreaths Across America Day is scheduled for Dec. 18 with ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery as well as more than 2,500 other locations across the country.
The December schedule includes a weeklong truck convoy of wreaths that starts in Maine and ends in Arlington National Cemetery with stops along the way.
In addition, Wreaths Across America’s Mobile Education Exhibit continues to travel the country, and the organization will air the fourth and final of its radio roundtable discussions on Dec. 23. Wreaths Across America also announced a race program featuring a 737-mile “Escort to Arlington Challenge” virtual course.
To further expand the organization’s commitment to military members, Wreaths Across America entered into an agreement with the International Association of Movers, which provides moving and relocation services for the military and their families, in the fall.
“The partnership with International Association of Movers aligns perfectly with our mission to remember, honor, teach,” Don Queeney, director of transportation for Wreaths Across America, said in a news release. “Relocating active service members, those separating and as retirees, is a source of pride for them. To help Wreaths Across America move, the mission is a way to pay back and pay it forward to these courageous men and women of our armed services.”
This December marks the 30th year for the Wreaths Across America program as the Worcester Wreath Co. started the practice in 1992 because of a surplus of wreaths at the end of the holiday season.
“As we head into the 30th year of placing wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery, we hope you will join us in volunteering, in support, or in spirit as we endeavor to bring people together in solidary as we place veterans’ wreaths to honor our interred heroes all across America,” Wreaths Across America Executive Director Karen Worcester said.
Wreaths can be sponsored for $15 and can be purchased at WreathsAcrossAmerica.org.
Truckers play critical role
Truck drivers, including many OOIDA members, have played a critical role in the efforts over the years.
“Each year with the help of hundreds of volunteer trucking companies, Wreaths Across America is able to honor our national fallen heroes,” the organization wrote on its website. “The efforts of the generous trucking company owners, the drivers, and all their employees make the mission possible. The trucks are responsible for carrying thousands of veterans’ wreaths to a growing number of participating cemeteries across the United States.”
Trucking companies can volunteer to deliver wreaths by going to trucking.wreathsacrossamerica.org/volunteer. LL
2021 Wreaths Across America events and locations
Dec. 11:
Escort to Arlington begins
Leave Columbia Falls, Maine
West Quoddy, Maine
Calais, Maine
Dec. 12:
Calais, Maine
Ellsworth, Maine
Thorndike, Maine
Wiscasset, Maine
Portland, Maine
Dec. 13:
Elliot, Maine
Merrimack, N.H.
Brattleboro, Vt.
Dec. 14:
Troy, N.Y.
Central Valley, N.Y.
Wayne, N.J.
Elizabeth, N.J.
Dec. 15:
Sayreville, N.J.
Holmdel, N.J.
Bordertown, N.J.
Dec. 16:
Claymont, Del.
Middletown, Del.
Stevensville, Md.
Dec. 17:
Pentagon,
Washington, D.C.
War Memorials,
Washington, D.C.
Arlington, Va.
Dec. 18:
Arlington, Va., and
Arlington National
Cemetery on Wreaths
Across America Day.