A holiday event that never fails to warm my heart is called Wreaths Across America. The story of how it began is every bit as touching as you think it would be. From their website:
“Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Company of Harrington, Maine, was a 12-year-old paper boy for the Bangor Daily News when he won a trip to Washington D.C. His first trip to our nation’s capital was one he would never forget, and Arlington National Cemetery made an especially indelible impression on him. This experience followed him throughout his life and successful career, reminding him that his good fortune was due, in large part, to the values of this nation and the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
In 1992, Worcester Wreath found themselves with a surplus of wreaths nearing the end of the holiday season. Remembering his boyhood experience at Arlington, Worcester realized he had an opportunity to honor our country’s veterans. With the aid of Maine Senator Olympia Snowe, arrangements were made for the wreaths to be placed at Arlington in one of the older sections of the cemetery that had been receiving fewer visitors with each passing year.
As plans were underway, a number of other individuals and organizations stepped up to help. James Prout, owner of local trucking company Blue Bird Ranch, Inc., generously provided transportation all the way to Virginia. Volunteers from the local American Legion and VFW Posts gathered with members of the community to decorate each wreath with traditional red, hand-tied bows. Members of the Maine State Society of Washington, D.C. helped to organize the wreath-laying, which included a special ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
“The annual tribute went on quietly for several years, until 2005, when a photo of the stones at Arlington, adorned with wreaths and covered in snow, circulated around the Internet.”
Suddenly, the project received national attention. Thousands of requests poured in from all over the country from people wanting to help with Arlington, to emulate the Arlington project at their national and state cemeteries, or to simply share their stories and thank Morrill Worcester for honoring our nation’s heroes.”
I have always loved Wreaths Across America. In particular, the chapter in Bushnell, Florida is nearest to my heart. Each year, beginning in 2006, US Military veterans who live near the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL began the practice of laying wreaths on the graves of fallen soldiers. The first year they only had enough funds for seven wreaths, and the event only drew 40 people. But each year, as word spread, the number of wreaths and attendees has increased exponentially.
By 2009 the Veterans and their supporters laid 2,300 wreaths, and over 1,500 people attended the cemetery.
Today the event has expanded to over 10,000 attendees and well over 7,000 wreaths. This year the wreath laying will be held at the Florida National Cemetery on 6502 SW 102ns Avenue on Dec. 17, at 10 am.
You can donate a wreath for as little as 15, and it goes up from there to a Corporate sponsorship of 100 wreaths for $1,500. The Link to the Florida site is: https://wreaths.fastport.com/donateLocation.html?page=20814
Happy Holidays to you and yours, may your celebrations be warm and full of love. If you find it in your heart to make a donation to this cause, bless you.
Cathy Quigley, is a longtime, successful real estate agent. Born in Queens and raised in Long Island, New York, she began her career on the west coast of Florida and now lives beachside in Satellite Beach with her two adorable cats.