While on a visit to Washington DC, I was privileged and honored to participate in the annual laying of Christmas wreaths on the gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery.  On a very cold December morning, thousands of people gathered at the gates of the cemetery as volunteers to help lay the wreaths.  There are approximately 350,000 grave sites in Arlington and each year different sections are chosen on a rotational basis. This year 15,000 wreaths were laid.

Just as the ceremony commenced, as if almost on cue, Marine One, carrying the President, flew over the crowd; a very fitting salute.

Wreaths Across America was formed as an extension of the Arlington Wreath Project.  The Arlington Wreath program was started by Morrill Worcester in 1992 with the donation and laying of 5000 Christmas wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery. 

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.

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.

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”. 

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.

Ronald Reagan - 40th United States President (1911 – 2004)