Wreaths Across America – Because We Can’t Thank Them Enough

One man's mission of honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice has blossomed into a year-round nationwide effort to make sure no American soldier who has been laid to rest is forgotten.

The story of the organization Wreaths Across America begins with Morrill Worcester of Harrington, Maine. As a 12 year old, he won a trip to Washington, D.C. He was particularly impressed with Arlington National Cemetery, and never forgot that boyhood experience.

Fast forward to 1992. Worcester was now in the business of making live wreaths for the holiday season. That was the year he had several thousand wreaths left over as the Christmas season was nearing an end.

With the help of his U.S. Senator, Worcester placed the wreaths at Arlington, on the graves in one of the older sections of the cemetery that no longer got many visitors.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

Wreaths Across America was established after an iconic picture of the expanse of wreaths on headstones as far as the eye could see on a snowy day, appeared on the internet.

What followed was offers of support from corporate sponsors, trucking companies and individuals wanting to help with Morrill Worcester's mission.

Last year, Wreaths Across America placed more than 1.7 million wreaths on graves at Arlington and over 2,500 other locations around the country, including cemeteries in Jacksonville, Arrow Rock and St. James, Missouri.

To find out more about Wreaths Across America, click here.