Every December at the National Wreath Cemetery of America, wreath-laying ceremonies are held at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 1,200 additional locations across the country and abroad. Worcester Wreath Company (the wreath company that provides Christmas greenery for LL Bean) makes and decorates Christmas wreaths and places them on tombstones as a tribute and remembrance to American heroes. Morrill Worcester, president of the Harrington, Maine-based Worcester Wreath Company, began this annual event in 1992 to honor our nation’s fallen soldiers.
The Arlington Wreath project, coordinated with the Maine State Society and Cemetery Administration, adorns white headstones with evergreen wreaths and red ribbons to recognize the sacrifices our veterans and their families have made for our country.
Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery
Saturday, December 16, 2017, doors open at 8 a.m.
- 9 a.m. Opening Ceremony at McClellan Arch
- 9:30 am Wreath laying ceremony at President Kennedy’s grave
- 11:30 am Wreath Laying Ceremony on USS Maine Mast
- Noon ceremony, placement ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- 1 pm Two million crown will be laid by WAA founder Morrill Worcester at Pvt. William Christman’s Grave, Cemetery’s First Military Burial (Section 27)
The cemetery will be closed to vehicular traffic until 3 pm ANC Tours, Arlington’s interpretive bus tour, will not operate on this day. This is a walking event. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring refillable water bottles. Temporary restrooms will be located throughout the cemetery. Due to the large number of volunteers and the lack of adequate parking, participants are encouraged to take Metro.
The wreaths will be in Arlington National Cemetery for approximately four weeks. The cemetery is located across the Potomac River from Washington DC at the west end of the Memorial Bridge in Arlington, Virginia. View a map
Flower crowns throughout America – Expansión
Due to interest in this project across the country, Project Arlington Wreath now includes more than 1,100 participating locations in all 50 states and 24 national veteran cemeteries abroad. Each year, Wreaths Across America and a national network of volunteers place more than 540,000 memorial wreaths at 545 locations. A moment of silence will be held at ALL locations on December 16 at noon EST. For more information on ceremonies, at locations across the country, see the official website.
Until 2009, Worcester Wreath did not accept donations. The organization has since evolved into a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization and expanded to include local fundraising groups in all 50 states representing more than 900 cemeteries, military monuments and other locations, along with the Arlington National Cemetery. Wreaths Across America is now raising money to help fulfill its mission through crown sponsorship. Donations can also be sent to:
Wreaths Across America
PO Box 256
Harrington, ME 04643
Website: www.wreathsacrossamerica.org
Wreaths Across America also honors veterans with the popular “Thanks a Million” campaign, which distributes cards to people across the country to give veterans a simple “thank you” for their service. WAA participates in veterans events throughout the year and has a veteran liaison on staff to work with local veterans organizations.
