In many homes, there are empty seats that once belonged to military service members who fought for our country and paid the ultimate price. What better time to express appreciation for these fallen soldiers and their families than during the holiday season?
This is the day, every year, that thousands of wreaths are placed on headstones at cemeteries across the country.
The date changes every year, but it always falls on either the second or third Saturday in December.
The foundation for this day of remembrance came about in 1992 when Maine-based Worcester Wreath found themselves with a surplus of wreaths near the end of the holiday season. With the aid of their senator, arrangements were made for the extra wreaths to be placed on stones in one of the older sections of Arlington National Cemetery – an area which was seeing fewer visitors with every passing year.
Other local organizations got in on the project. They helped with everything from transportation of the wreaths, to hand-crafting the red bows which sit atop each wreath, to arranging an official-wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The annual event stayed under the radar until 2005, when a photo of the stones at Arlington, adorned with wreaths and covered in snow, went viral.
Photo courtesy of wreathsacrossamerica.org
In 2007, Wreaths Across America was established to accommodate the growing interest in Worcester Wreath’s annual tradition. Fourteen years later, holiday wreath-laying ceremonies are coordinated at more than 2,500 locations by Wreaths Across America. 2021’s Escort to Arlington – the annual pilgrimage from Harrington, Maine to Arlington National Cemetery – began on December 11th and concludes December 18th.
Connect with Wreaths Across America by sponsoring a wreath, attending a wreath-laying ceremony, simply spreading the word about this extraordinary event, or getting to know our heroes and Veterans. Wreaths Across America locations exist all over the country, but if you can’t find a location near you, the organization will help you add a location at a cemetery in your area.
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