Local Residents Participate in Wreaths Across America At Arlington National Cemetery

Over 15,000 volunteers laid nearly 90,000 wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday, December 10, 2011.  Wreaths were also laid at the Pentagon, Vietnam and Korean Memorials and other national cemeteries. 
Wreaths Across America is a non-profit organization founded in 2007 by the Worcester family, owners of the Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine. The wreath-laying effort began with a simple act of patriotism when co-owner of the Worcester Wreath Company, Morrill Worcester, donated 5,000 evergreen wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery in 1992. Today, the annual pilgrimage from Maine to Arlington National Cemetery is known as the world’s largest veteran’s parade with 50 long-haul tractor trailers from major sponsors making the week-long journey.
 Many local people and organizations donated wreaths to honor our nations veterans for their service. Sharon and Larry Curtis of Chicora, Jim and Cindy Wetzel of Butler, Debbie McCanna and Winnie Melendez from East Brady, and Tom and Nancy Lendyak from East Brady were among the volunteers.
Wreaths Across America 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman, Morrill Worcester, in 1992. The organization’s mission, Remember, Honor, Teach, is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath laying ceremonies on the second Saturday of December at Arlington, as well as hundreds of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. For more information, to donate or to sign up to volunteer, please visit www.WreathsAcross America.org.