ARLINGTON, VA – This morning, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined with thousands of volunteers at Arlington National Cemetery to place wreaths on the graves of America’s fallen heroes as part of the Maine-based initiative Wreaths Across America. During this powerful tribute to America’s veterans and their families, Senator King delivered remarks during a ceremony at the USS Maine Mast Memorial and placed a wreath on the grave of Maine’s former U.S. Senator William Hathaway, who served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. Senator King worked for former Senator Hathaway during part of his tenure in the U.S. Senate in the 1970s.

“Wreaths Across America is an amazing tribute to our heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice, to our heroic veterans still with us today, and to their families who stand by their side through it all,” said Senator King. “I was honored to participate in today’s tribute and see firsthand the energy and spirit of community that make this event so special. We can and should be proud that this Maine-led effort has such a powerful impact across the country.”

Senator King welcomed the Wreaths Across America convoy of volunteers who arrived at Arlington National Cemetery today to lay the Maine-made balsam wreaths at the grave site of American veterans interred there. The procession down the East Coast began on December 6^th in Harrington, where Patriot Guard Riders continued their tradition of escorting trucks filled with wreaths. In addition to placing an estimated 230,000 wreaths today at Arlington National Cemetery, volunteers will place wreaths at over 1,000 locations in all 50 states and in numerous national veteran cemeteries on foreign soil. Wreaths Across America was started 24 years ago by Morrill and Karen Worcester, owners of Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine, and their generosity continues to fuel this nationwide tribute. 

Earlier this week, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution authored by Senator King and Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) declaring December 12, 2015 as “Wreaths Across America Day.” The Senators also participated in a wreath laying held at the U.S. Capitol.

The USS Maine Memorial Mast stands among the graves in Arlington in remembrance of the hundreds of Sailors and Marines who went down with the ship in 1898 in Havana, Cuba following an explosion. Senator Hathaway was awarded several medals for his service during World War II, including the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross, and spent two months as a Prisoner of War in Romania. Senator King worked as a staffer for Senator Hathaway in the 1970’s, serving as Chief Counsel to the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Alcoholism and Narcotics. 

Senator King lays a wreath at the grave of former Maine U.S. Senator William Hathaway

Senator King thanks Morrill Worcester for his leadership in Wreaths Across America

Senator King with Maine State Troopers

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