He’s Just a Wreath Maker from Maine

My son is laid to rest in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery. He requested this in his living will and I honored those wishes. When Ben died in 2009, a friend who lived in Washington DC, invited me to come out for Wreaths Across America in December. Being new to the happenings of the cemetery, I didn’t know what this was. I soon learned that Christmas wreaths were placed on the graves in mid December each year by an organization called Wreaths Across America. I agreed to attend and placed a wreath on Ben’s grave and on several others near him. This year will mark my tenth consecutive year to be at Arlington for WAA.

Many years ago, twelve-year old newspaper boy Morrill Worcester won a trip to Arlington National Cemetery. It made an impression on him, an impression so great that years later he would see to it that all 225,000+ graves at ANC were covered with a Christmas wreath.

In 1992, as the owner of Worcester Wreath Company, Morrill found himself with an excess of 5000 wreaths near the holiday season. He recalled his youthful trip to ANC and made a phone call to the Governor of Virginia asking if he could honor veterans by delivering them to the cemetery. She said yes and that was the beginning of the legacy WAA has created. To date, it has grown to reach more than 1,400 locations in all 50 states.

In 2011 and 2016, I was fortunate to ride along with the annual convoy that makes its way from WAA headquarters in Columbia Falls, Maine all the way to Arlington. This convoy has become known as the world’s largest veteran parade as they make stops along the way at schools, monuments, VFW’s, American Legions, and numerous other locations that support our military. The trip takes nearly a week as the days are filled with 2-4 stops at any of the above locations. The convoy is met by adults and children waving flags, holding signs of support and cheering excitedly as we arrive. Meals are often provided and a program centered around delivering wreaths to special members in that community is the order of the day. The patriotism felt on this journey equals, if not exceeds the 4th of July.

The first year I attended Wreaths Across America at Arlington, I didn’t know what to expect. What I found were semi-trailers parked in various locations throughout the cemetery and thousands of people ready to place wreaths on the graves. The majority of the crowd seemed to be gathered in Section 60, the section where the most current KIA’s are laid to rest. Families line up behind the open trailers that are filled with boxes of wreaths packaged in Maine at Worcester Wreath Company headquarters. Each wreath includes a pretty red felt bow tied perfectly at the top. The pine boughs intertwined to shape the wreaths are so fresh that if I closed my eyes while holding one, I can imagine myself standing in the middle of a northern Maine pine forest completely engulfed by the scent of a million trees.

Once the volunteers begin to distribute the wreaths it doesn’t take long for each section to be completed. Adults and children traipse back and forth between the semis and the graves, taking time at each headstone to say thank you to the person whose name is engraved in the marble stone. This is part of the mission of WAA; to Remember, Honor and Teach. Remember their names, honor their sacrifice and teach others to do the same.

Since 2009, when there were approximately 5000 volunteers, WAA day at Arlington has grown to include more than 70,000 volunteers. For the last three years, the entire cemetery has been covered with Christmas wreaths. (It is important to note that respect is given to those families who do not celebrate Christmas). The first year this happened, Morrill Worcester placed himself at the headstone of the very first person laid to rest at ANC. Twenty-year old Army Private William Christman died at a DC hospital in 1864 from the measles. Worcester was accompanied by several of his young grandchildren and saved PVT Christman’s wreath for last - to be the one that completed 100% coverage for the first time. Together they Remembered and Honored young Christman and, setting an example, Worcester taught the second generation of his family the importance of doing both.

Having spent nine consecutive years at Arlington for WAA, I have not grown tired of it. In fact, I look forward to it. I have invited friends to join me and they come away changed, unquestionably. In the midst of the thousands of volunteers, you can feel the energy and can get lost in the controlled chaos. Before you know it, the work is done and everyone leaves and Arlington again becomes the place where valor rests. It’s like the calm after the storm, yet this beautiful, beautiful sight remains; a Christmas wreath for every single person laid to rest in one of our nation’s most sacred grounds. As the mother of a child resting eternally in section 60, it wells my heart with love and joy for the season knowing Ben and all the rest are not forgotten. I always take a walk (or a drive) through the entire cemetery and let that feeling resonate for every family like mine, whose loved ones will never again be home for Christmas.

Morrill Worcester did not serve in the military, however, I have yet to meet a man with more passion than him to honor our nation’s fallen. He never forgot that youthful visit to Arlington and continues to share this with hundreds of thousands of families across our nation and overseas where Americans eternally rest. Morrill is also the humblest of men you will ever meet. His entire family is. I am honored to know them and to be a part of Wreaths Across America and to share this selfless endeavor with all whom I know and may read this. Morrill will often say he is, “just a wreath maker from Maine.” If this is true, the Mississippi is just a river, Denali is just a mountain and Freedom Tower is just a building. Morrill is a giant among men. What he started with Wreaths Across America reaches into the homes and hearts of hundreds of thousands of people.

Wreaths Across America day at Arlington National Cemetery is December 15th. I hope to see you there. For more information, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org