Honor fallen service members and Veterans on National Wreaths Across America Day, December 17th

2022-12-13T16:05:29-05:00

Are you looking for an opportunity to honor service members and Veterans this holiday season?

Consider taking part in National Wreaths Across America Day on Dec. 17. That’s when individuals from across the country gather for wreath-laying ceremonies in honor of the fallen. Sponsored by the national nonprofit Wreaths Across America, ceremonies are held at Arlington National Cemetery and at more than 3,400 other locations around the world.

Wreaths Across America’s roots are now decades old, with thousands of individuals participating every year. But it started as a tribute by one man — Morrill Worcester, owner of the Worcester Wreath Company, a Harrington, Maine-based business that handcrafts balsam wreaths.

In 1992, Morrill pondered what to do with the surplus of wreaths on hand at the end of the holiday season. He remembered visiting Arlington National Cemetery as a boy and feeling a profound appreciation for service members and Veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice. He felt that his good fortune was thanks to their dedication.

Morrill’s idea was to donate the extra wreaths for distribution at fallen service members’ and Veterans’ gravesites.

When then-Maine senator, Olympia Snowe, heard of Morrill’s plan, she arranged for the wreaths to be placed at an older section of Arlington, as a way to bring more people to an under-visited part of the cemetery.

The news spread, and more individuals and organizations got involved in the ceremonies. James Prout, owner of Blue Bird Ranch, Inc. trucking company, delivered the wreaths to Virginia. American Legion and VFW volunteers adorned the wreaths with bows. The Maine State Society of Washington, D.C., helped lay the wreaths and coordinate a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

In 2005, a photo of the wreath-adorned graves of Arlington spread online, providing the event with national attention.

The annual tradition has grown ever since, paying tribute to military service throughout history. Events are held on the second or third Saturday in December. According to the nonprofit, the pilgrimage from Harrington, Maine, to Arlington is now the world’s largest Veterans’ parade, stopping along the way at schools, monuments, Veterans’ homes and communities.

Get involved

Here are some ways you can participate in a Wreaths Across America event, this holiday season and all year-round:

• Find a ceremony near you. There are 3,400 ceremony locations: https://rly.pt/3BtOsgT

• Coordinate a new location. Start by visiting https://rly.pt/3uLTsK3 (There is no cost to add a new location or host a ceremony)

• Sponsor wreaths. Visit http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org and click on the “Sponsor Wreaths” button on the main page. Donations support wreath-laying ceremonies across the country.

• Lead a sponsorship group. Find out how: https://rly.pt/3FP2oox

• Share your story. Post your gravesite remembrance story here at RallyPoint and at the Wreaths Across America Remember Wall, where you can find almost 5,000 other stories: https://rly.pt/3PqVuJh

Learn more

• Wreaths Across America: https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org

• Worcester Wreath Company: https://worcesterwreath.com

See the Cemeteries that Our Wreaths Across America Group Supports

Wreaths Across America ("WAA") coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies every December to "Remember, Honor, and Teach" about the sacrifices made by our veterans and their families. Check out the locations that my group supports and please join us on December 17, 2022 for National Wreaths Across America Day! #WreathsAcrossAmerica

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2022 4:13 PM

2022-12-13T16:13:52-05:00

MOM DEC 16TH

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Dec 13 at 2022 6:56 PM

2022-12-13T18:56:38-05:00

Thanks for sharing this with the military community!

Response by COL Randall C. made Dec 14 at 2022 8:11 AM

2022-12-14T08:11:22-05:00

Shout-out acknowledgement for these Level 6 corporate sponsors of Wreaths Across America. Decided to check them out after seeing an article about Lockheed Martin doing a $250,000 donation recently.

Further shout-outs to ALL the corporate and individual sponsors. Many accolades for supporting a worthy cause.

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Dec 19 at 2022 5:55 PM

2022-12-19T17:55:13-05:00

They discussed this on WTMJ AM radio this weekend. If I remember correctly, they are going to place 2.65 million wreaths, 275,000 of which are at Arlington.

Response by PVT Ted Rodosovich made Dec 20 at 2022 5:15 PM

2022-12-20T17:15:50-05:00

MRFF [login to see]

Response by SPC Gary Symons made Dec 20 at 2022 7:02 PM

2022-12-20T19:02:43-05:00

It was my honor to lay Wreaths of America wreaths at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego, CA

Response by SP5 Kathleen Barton made Dec 20 at 2022 9:06 PM

2022-12-20T21:06:05-05:00

This is such an honorable way of expressing gratitude to our nation's heroes. I am so proud to be a veteran and an American.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2022 3:02 PM

2022-12-23T15:02:46-05:00

Ryan Callahan the American Legion Post inside the prison that I volunteer at have donated $500.00 each year for these wreaths.