Remembering, Honoring, Teaching via Wreaths Across America

Remembering and honoring those who served America's military - Wreaths Across America teaches the value of freedom

More than 2,000 people volunteered & helped lay wreaths at the Salisbury National Cemetery on Saturday morning, December 16, 2023 to participate in Wreaths Across America. It was a privilege for two of my daughters and I to attend and be a small part of this memorable day. My heart was deeply moved to see the rows of white headstones as they stood at precise attention to receive the salute of appreciative Americans. We lovingly touched the final resting place of my dear one. A day well spent and a memory to treasure.

My dear husband served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. His heart was bound with honor and respect for his fellow service men and those who had served in the military during any period. His father served in WWI; and he respectfully honored a WWI and WWII veteran who in his advanced years hobbled to our church and played his harmonica.  He grieved the massively devastating injuries America's Fallen Warriors sustained. He quietly poured over books with images from the horrors of WWII (he was a young teen during those years) teaching our children the heavy cost of freedom. He taught our children to honor the American Flag. He stood at attention during the singing of our National Anthem and at the raising of our flag. Pearl Harbor Day was a quiet day of reflection for him. Memorial Day was just that..... remembrance of the fallen. 

And he is one of the residents whose headstone now stands at precise attention on the grounds of Salisbury National Cemetery. What an honor to be among these who served.

What is Wreaths Across America?

Wreaths Across America is an American nonprofit organization established in 2007 by wreath producer Morrill Worcester, assisted by veterans and truckers. Its primary activity is distributing Veteran's wreaths for placement on graves in military cemeteries. In December 2008, the United States Senate agreed to a resolution that designated December 13, 2008, as Wreaths Across America Day. Subsequent National Wreaths Across America Days have been designated on the second or third Saturday of December.

History: In 1992, the Worcester Wreath company in Harrington, Maine, had a surplus at the end of the Christmas holiday season. Recalling a boyhood trip to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, company founder Morrill Worcester donated to the cemetery 5,000 wreaths to honor the cemetery's dead, with the help of volunteers and a local trucking company. After thirteen years of similar donations, in 2005 a photo of snowy gravestones covered with wreaths at the cemetery received widespread circulation on the internet. Thousands of people called Worcester, wanting to replicate the wreath-laying service at their own veteran cemeteries.

At the end of 2006, Worcester's company supplied wreaths to over 230 state and national cemeteries and veterans monuments across the country. Over 150 different locations simultaneously held ceremonies with Arlington's. Additionally, the project had its first "Veterans Honor Parade" with "Patriot Guard Riders" who escorted the wreaths from Maine to the cemetery. The parade, which is held each year, now visits schools, monuments, veterans' homes and communities along its route. [* source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wreaths_Across_America ]

Reflections © Vera Godley; Quote  *Wikipedia

#wreathsacrossAmerica #VA - Wreaths Across America