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In December of 1992, in Harrington, Maine, a wreath maker named Morrill Worcester found himself with a surplus of 5,000 wreaths during the holiday season. Worcester saw the surplus as an opportunity to pay tribute to our country’s veterans, and with the help of Maine Senator Olympia Snowe, arranged for the wreaths to be placed at Arlington National Cemetery. This annual tribute to our country’s veterans has continued ever since, touching the lives of millions of veterans’ families and volunteers, and growing in scope through the years.

In 2007, the Worcester family along with veterans and volunteers formed the non-profit organization, Wreaths Across America, to continue and expand their efforts at Arlington National Cemetery and to support those around the country who wished to do the same. Wreaths Across America’s missions are simple: Remember the fallen, Honor those that serve, and Teach the next generation about the value of freedom. 

In 2022, Wreaths Across America and its national network of volunteers placed more than 2.7 million sponsored veterans’ wreaths on headstones of our nation’s service members at 3,702 participating locations. National Wreaths Across America day will be held on Saturday, Dec. 16.

Locally, a ceremony, which is sponsored by the Judith Randolph-Longwood Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, will begin at noon, at Trinity Memorial Gardens Cemetery, located at 22482 Prince Edward Highway in Rice. Following the ceremony, wreaths will be placed on the graves of 443 local veterans who are laid to rest there.

This event will take place, rain or shine, and is open to anyone who would like to attend.