WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution designating Saturday, December 12, 2015 as “Wreaths Across America Day.”

On December 12^th, a convoy of volunteers is scheduled to arrive at Arlington National Cemetery to lay approximately 230,000 Maine-made balsam wreaths at the grave site of each American veteran interred there.  This is the 24^th consecutive year that Morrill and Karen Worcester, owners of Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine will make this generous donation. The procession to Arlington began on December 6^th in Harrington where Patriot Guard Riders continued their tradition of escorting the wreath trucks down the East Coast. In addition to 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 is a powerful demonstration of respect and appreciation for our veterans – both those that we’ve lost and those still with us – that reminds them and their families that we are eternally grateful for their service and sacrifice,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “And this proud tradition, still going strong after the Worcester’s started it 24 years ago, is built on the same spirit of generosity that helps make the holiday season so special. We are honored to join with the countless volunteers and supporters who come together to make Wreaths Across America possible and share in honoring and remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.”

The resolution is available HERE and the full text is below:

+++

Whereas, 24 years before the date of adoption of this resolution,

the Wreaths Across America project began with an

annual tradition that occurs in December, of donating,

transporting, and placing 5,000 Maine balsam fir remembrance

wreaths on the graves of the fallen heroes buried

at Arlington National Cemetery;

Whereas, in the 24 years preceding the date of adoption of

this resolution, more than 2,416,000 wreaths have been

sent to locations, including national cemeteries and veterans

memorials, in every State and overseas;

Whereas the mission of the Wreaths Across America project,

to ‘‘Remember, Honor, Teach’’, is carried out in part by

coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in all 50 States

and overseas, including at—

(1) Arlington National Cemetery;

(2) veterans cemeteries; and

(3) other locations;

Whereas the Wreaths Across America project carries out a

week-long veterans parade between Maine and Virginia,

stopping along the way to spread a message about the

importance of—

(1) remembering the fallen heroes of the United

States;

(2) honoring those who serve; and

(3) reminding the people of the United States about

the sacrifices made by veterans and their families to preserve

freedoms in the United States;

Whereas, in 2014, approximately 716,000 remembrance

wreaths were sent to more than 1,000 locations across

the United States and overseas, an increase of more than

100 locations compared to the previous year;

Whereas, in December 2015, the tradition of escorting tractor-

trailers filled with donated wreaths from Harrington,

Maine, to Arlington National Cemetery will be continued

by—

(1) the Patriot Guard Riders; and

(2) other patriotic escort units, including—

(A) motorcycle units;

(B) law enforcement units; and

(C) first responder units;

Whereas hundreds of thousands of individuals volunteer each

December to help lay remembrance wreaths;

Whereas the trucking industry in the United States continues

to support the Wreaths Across America project by providing

drivers, equipment, and related services to assist

in the transportation of wreaths across the United States

to over 1,000 locations;

 

Whereas the Senate designated December 13, 2014, as

‘‘Wreaths Across America Day’’; and

 

Whereas, on December 12, 2015, the Wreaths Across America

project will continue the proud legacy of bringing remembrance

wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery:

Now, therefore, be it

 

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) designates December 12, 2015, as ‘‘Wreaths

Across America Day’’;

(2) honors—

(A) the Wreaths Across America project;

(B) patriotic escort units, including—

(i) motorcycle units;

(ii) law enforcement units; and

(iii) first responder units;

(C) the trucking industry in the United

States; and

(D) the volunteers and donors involved in

this worthy tradition; and

(3) recognizes—

(A) the service of veterans and members of

the Armed Forces; and

(B) the sacrifices that veterans, members

of the Armed Forces, and their families have

made, and continue to make,

for the United States, a great Nation.

###