Wreaths Across America On Its Way!

[palbert]

Wreaths Across America -- consisting of 25 tractor trailers -- has left Downeast Maine bound for Arlington National Cemetary and other veteran cemetaries. A police escort accompanies the convoy the entire way. That is approximately 250,000 wreaths.

Our mission, Remember, Honor, Teach, is carried out in part by coordinating wreath laying ceremonies a specified Saturday inDecember at Arlington, as well as veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. We also organize a week of events including international veteran’s tributes, ceremonies at State Houses and a week-long “Veteran’s Parade” between Maine and Virginia where we stop along the way to spread our message about the importance of remembering our fallen heroes, honoring those who serve, and teaching our children about the sacrifices made by veterans and their families to preserve our freedoms.

http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/...us/who-we-are/

Wreaths Across America Day is Saturday, December 15, 2012.

[pat grimshaw]

I looked at the site… but I was wondering about the significance of the date 15 December.

[palbert]

I looked at the site… but I was wondering about the significance of the date 15 December.

It's the nearest Saturday to Christmas that has no holiday hoopla yet.

[pat grimshaw]

^ fair enough.

[palbert]

From the Bangor Daily News today:

The tradition started in 1992 when Morrill Worcester found himself with 5,000 wreaths that he couldn’t bring to market. He had them delivered to Arlington with the help of Sen. Olympia Snowe.

This year, about 100,000 of the balsam wreaths will arrive at Arlington by Friday, while another 300,000 of them are destined for veterans’ cemeteries and other locations elsewhere. All told, the nonprofit Wreaths Across America says wreaths are being shipped to more than 800 locations.

[cgymike]

Police to make sure no one steals the wreaths.....