Each year Worcester Wreath Company (the wreath company that provides holiday greenery for L.L. Bean) makes and decorates holiday wreaths and places them on headstones at Arlington National Cemetery. Morrill Worcester - President of Worcester Wreath Company, based in Harrington, Maine, started this annual event in 1992 to honor our nation’s fallen heroes. The Arlington Wreath project, coordinated with the Cemetery Administration and the Maine State Society, adorns the white tombstones with evergreen wreaths and red bows to recognize sacrifices our Veterans and their families have made for our country.

Annual Wreath-Laying Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery

Saturday, December 13, 2014, Gates open at 8 a.m.

• 9 a.m. Opening Ceremony at the McClellan Arch
• 9:30 a.m. Wreath laying ceremony at President Kennedy’s grave
• 11:30 a.m. Wreath laying ceremony at USS Maine Mast
• Noon Wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
• 1 p.m. Two-millionth wreath to be placed by WAA founder Morrill Worcester on Pvt. William Christman’s grave, cemetery’s first military burial (Section 27)

The cemetery will be closed to vehicle traffic until 3 p.m. ANC Tours, Arlington’s interpretative bus tour, will not operate this day. This is a walking event. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring refillable water bottles. Temporary restrooms will be located throughout the cemetery. Because of the large number of volunteers and lack of adequate parking, participants are highly encouraged to take Metro.

The wreaths will be at Arlington National Cemetery for approximately four weeks.

The Cemetery is located across the Potomac River from Washington DC at the west end of the Memorial Bridge in Arlington, Virginia. See a Map

Wreaths Across America – Expansion

Due to interest in this project from around the nation, Worcester Wreath Company has expanded to include special ceremonies across the United States. Each year, Wreaths Across America and a national network of volunteers laid over 540,000 memorial wreaths at 545 locations. A Moment of Silence will be held at ALL locations on December 13 at Noon EST. To learn more about ceremonies, at locations around the country, see the official website.

Until 2009, Worcester Wreath did not accept donations. The organization has since expanded to include more than 1,000 local fundraising groups in all 50 states representing more than 900 cemeteries, military memorials and other locations, along with Arlington National Cemetery. Wreaths Across America is now raising money to help fulfill its mission through sponsorship of wreaths. Donations may also be sent to:

Wreaths Across America
PO Box 256
Harrington, ME 04643

Website:www.wreathsacrossamerica.org