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| Wreaths Across America is an on going program and
we do accept donations during the year to purchase the wreath's to be placed on
veteran graves in December. |
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WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA 2010 |
The American Gold Star Mothers of Wichita is
raising funds for this worthy project. We have adopted the Winfield
Veterans Cemetery and the Fort Scott National Cemetery.
We are accepting donations for one wreath at $15.00 at cost or as many as you
would like to sponsor. If you know of someone that would like to help in
this effort, please ask them to come to the web site and print a WREATHS ACROSS
AMERICA DONATION FORM.We also invite you to take part in the simultaneous
Wreath laying ceremony to be held December 11, 2010
in Winfield, KS or Fort Scott, KS at 11:00am CDT. You will have the
privilege to take part in the actual laying of the wreaths on the graves of our
veterans.
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[PRINT FORM]
Please make checks payable to... WREATHS ACROSS
AMERICA.
It is a tax deductable donation.
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| Worcester Wreath and its involvement with the
Arlington project was inspired at the early age of 12 years old when, as a
Bangor Daily News paper boy, Morrill Worcester won a trip to the Nation’s
Capital. It was a trip he would never forget, and Arlington National Cemetery
(Official Site) made an indelible impression. In later life, he recognized that
his success as a businessman was in large part, due to the values of this Nation
and the Veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. |
| In 1992, the Wreath Company found themselves with
an excess of wreaths nearing the end of the holiday season. Seeing an
opportunity to make a boyhood dream a reality, efforts to do something special
with those wreaths began in earnest. With the help 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, a section which received fewer visitors
with each passing year. |
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With plans underway, a number of other
participants began their support for the project. James Prout, owner of Blue
Bird Ranch, Inc generously provided and 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 signature red, hand-tied bows. Member
of the Maine State Society of Washington, DC and John Metzler, Jr,
Superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery worked to organize the
wreath-laying, including the incorporation of a special ceremony at the Tomb of
the Unknown Soldier. |
| Now over fifteen years and over 100,000 wreaths
later, many volunteers participate in the project each year. After learning of
the annual trek to Arlington to honor our fallen heroes, Larry Ross, an
elementary school teacher from Canaan, Maine, has taken several groups of his
students to help with the wreath-laying. |
| The Maine Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, under the
guidance and leadership of Majors Wayne Merritt and Dennis Murray also
participated and in the annual event over the last several years. Each student
group conducts fundraising events throughout the year to make the trip. |
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