MAINE - Wreaths Across America will honor the service and sacrifice of military veterans from the United States and Canada with a wreath exchange Saturday on Ferry Point Bridge, which spans the St. Croix River and connects Calais and St. Stephen, New Brunswick - the beginning of a week of activity culminating in wreath-laying ceremonies across the U.S. and overseas to honor the recognizes the courage and sacrifices of the nation's veterans.
"Our mission is to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach our children the value of freedom," said Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America. The Worcester family is the owner of Worcester Wreath Co. in Harrington, Maine, and the founder of Wreaths Across America.
Cadets from the Civil Air Patrol Honor Guard stand watch over a remembrance wreath placed at the U.S. Capitol before Wreaths Across America observances last year. The wreath-laying ceremony was led by the Maine State Society of Washington, D.C. -CAP image
Civil Air Patrol and its members will lead or participate, often with color or honor guards, in many of the observances scheduled at cemeteries and war memorials. The largest event is Dec. 10 at Arlington National Cemetery outside of Washington, D.C., where up to 100,000 wreaths will be placed by CAP members and other volunteers.
Wreaths Across America began in 2006 as an offshoot of the Arlington National Cemetery wreath project, which was started in 1992 with the annual placement of wreaths donated by Worcester Wreath Co. CAP has sponsored Wreaths Across America since 2006.
More than 600 CAP units nationwide and abroad are participating in this year's Wreaths Across America initiative, which honors the 25 million men and women who have served in the U.S. armed forces and guarded and preserved the nation's freedom throughout history.
Some 20 tractor-trailer trucks participated in the Wreaths Across America convoy leaving Harrington, Maine, for Arlington National Cemetery in December 2010. Standing beside this one from Schneider National, used solely for events honoring American veterans, are (from from left) Lt. Col. Wayne Merritt, affiliated with both CAP and Wreaths Across America; the truck's driver, Tony Cunningham, a retired U.S. Air Force master sergeant; and Col. Dan Leclair, Maine Wing commander, and Christopher Hayden, Northeast Region commander.-CAP image
Beginning Sunday, about 100,000 wreaths bound for Arlington will be transported on a 750-mile journey in a tractor-trailer truck caravan from Harrington after a sendoff ceremony Saturday. Tractor-trailer truck drivers donate their time and vehicles to deliver the wreaths.
The convoy carrying the Worcester wreaths is scheduled to arrive at Arlington by 7 a.m. EST Dec. 10.
This solemn tribute will be repeated simultaneously at more than 700 veterans cemeteries and memorials nationwide and more than 20 national cemeteries and memorials abroad.
More information about Wreaths Across America and participating locations can be found on the Wreaths Across America website. Donations for Arlington wreaths are being accepted until Dec. 8 through the website and through the Arlington Wreaths Facebook page. FMI: CAP