WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the U.S. Senate has unanimously passed a resolution designating Saturday, December 17, 2016 as “Wreaths Across America Day.”

“Once again, the United States Senate has recognized the wonderful message of gratitude and respect that Wreaths Across America extends to our country’s veterans,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “For twenty-five years, this Maine-led tradition has been a powerful symbol that highlights the service and sacrifice of our veterans, while displaying the spirit of generosity that makes the holiday season so special. We are grateful for the hundreds of thousands of volunteers who ‘remember, honor, teach’ through Wreaths Across America.”

To honor of our fallen heroes, wreaths will be laid on each of their graves as part of a ceremony at Arlington Cemetery in Washington and over 1,100 other locations across the country. Patriot Guard Riders will once again continue their tradition of escorting the wreath trucks down the East Coast, along with other patriotic escorts including motorcycle units, law enforcement, and first responders. Hundreds of thousands of volunteers are expected to participate in this proud tradition.

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

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Whereas, 25 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 25 years preceding the date of adoption of this resolution, more than 3,317,000 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 2015, approximately 901,000 remembrance wreaths were sent to more than 1,100 locations across the United States and overseas, an increase of more than100 locations compared to the previous year;

Whereas, in December 2016, the tradition of escorting tractor-trailers filled with donated wreaths from Maine to Arlington National Cemetery will be continued by—
(1) the Patriot Guard Riders; and
(2) other patriotic escort units, including motorcycle units, law enforcement units, and 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 1,200 locations;

Whereas the Senate designated December 12, 2015, as ‘‘Wreaths Across America Day’’; and

Whereas, on December 17, 2016, 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 17, 2016, as ‘‘Wreaths Across America Day’’;
(2) honors—
     (A) the Wreaths Across America project;
     (B) patriotic escort units, including motor cycle units, law enforcement units, and 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.