What began as a gesture of remembrance and gratitude in 1992 has evolved into a national day of recognition and a living tribute to the veterans who sacrificed so much for our country and our freedoms. On Saturday, December 14, 2024, more than 4,800 participating cemeteries and memorial sites are hosting National Wreaths Across America Day ceremonies.
How the Wreath Laying Began
Merrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine, never forgot a childhood visit to Washington D.C. and Arlington National Cemetery. Years later, when his company faced a surplus of balsam fir wreaths, he remembered those rows upon rows of stark white headstones. With the help of then-Maine Senator Olympia Snowe, he made arrangements to place 50,000 wreaths in one of the older, all-but-forgotten cemetery sections. A local trucking company provided the transportation, while volunteers decorated each wreath with traditional red bows and helped to organize the wreath laying, accompanied by saying the veterans' names aloud and thanking them for their service.
This annual tribute quietly continued to grow until a photo of the decorated Arlington grave sites gained national attention. In response to thousands of inquiries about how to participate and lay wreaths at other National and State cemeteries, Worcester sent seven wreaths to every state: One for each military branch and an additional wreath to pay tribute to POW/MIAs. In December 2008, Congress proclaimed a Saturday in December as National Wreaths Across America Day.
All Invited to Attend
There is no cost to attend an event on National Wreaths Across America Day, and all are welcome to join. An interactive map on the Wreaths Across America website shows this year's participating locations.