Wreaths Across America: A Maine Tradition of Honor, Gratitude & Community Spirit
Every December, while most folks are stringing lights and sipping cocoa, something remarkable happens across the country — and it all began with a simple balsam wreath from right here in Maine.
Volunteers gather to honor veterans by laying wreaths on their graves, saying their names aloud, and reminding the world that gratitude never goes out of season. This cherished tradition is Wreaths Across America — and ayuh, it’s proudly rooted in Maine.
Let’s explore how it began, why it matters, and how you can be part of it.
A Maine Beginning: One Wreathmaker, One Big Heart
Picture Harrington, Maine, 1992 — a quiet coastal town where the scent of balsam hangs in the air, and hard work is woven into everyday life.
After a busy season, the Worcester Wreath Company ended up with a surplus of fresh holiday wreaths. Most business owners would chalk it up to overproduction, but not Morrill Worcester.
A memory from a childhood visit to Arlington National Cemetery resurfaced: rows of white headstones stretching across the landscape, leaving him with a deep and lasting sense of gratitude. Standing before those extra wreaths, he didn’t see leftovers — he saw an opportunity to say thank you.
With help from local volunteers and a generous trucking company, Morrill sent 5,000 balsam wreaths to Arlington to honor fallen heroes.
It wasn’t for recognition.
It wasn’t for publicity.
It was simply a Maine man doing what Maine people do best: showing up with kindness.
That single gesture sparked a tradition that would grow beyond anything he imagined.
From One Gesture to a Nationwide Wave of Gratitude
For years, the ceremony at Arlington was small and humble — a handful of volunteers placing wreaths among snow-covered stones.
Everything changed in 2005 when a photo of those wreaths blanketed in snow went viral. Hearts across the country were touched, and suddenly, thousands wanted to help.
By 2007, Wreaths Across America officially became a nonprofit with one mission:
Remember the fallen. Honor those who serve. Teach the next generation the value of freedom.
Today, this Maine-born tradition spans:
- All 50 states
- 5,200+ participating locations
- Millions of volunteers
- International memorials, from Normandy to Pearl Harbor
Not bad for a little Down East wreath company.
Wreaths Across America Day — December 13, 2025.
On this day:
- Volunteers gather at cemeteries, big and small
- Each wreath is placed with intention
- Each veteran’s name is spoken aloud
- Families share stories
- Strangers become community
The wreaths themselves hold meaning:
Evergreen: Eternal life
Red bow: Valor and sacrifice
In 2014, every headstone at Arlington — more than 226,000 graves — received a wreath. Today, over 3 million wreaths are placed worldwide each year.
Maine’s Role in 2025: Local Sites & Volunteer Opportunities
This year, ceremonies will be held at 82 locations statewide, including:
Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery (Sanford)
- Ceremony at noon
- Free shuttle from Sanford Junior High starting at 10 a.m.
- Current need: 2,100 wreaths, but only 639 sponsored so far
Togus VA Cemetery (Chelsea)
A place of profound honor for generations of Maine veterans.
Brunswick Naval Air Station Cemetery
Honoring those who served at sea and in the air.
Across Maine, organizers estimate the state is short by over 25,000 wreaths, meaning many veterans may go without a wreath unless more sponsors step forward.
The Iconic Maine Convoy: Escort to Arlington
The nation’s longest veterans’ parade begins right here in Maine.
The Escort to Arlington departs from Columbia Falls on December 6, 2025, featuring:
- 13 tractor-trailers
- Patriot Guard Riders
- Law enforcement escorts
- School visits and community send-offs
- Memorial stops across multiple states
Chevrolet is supporting the mission with electric escort vehicles and the sponsorship of 4,000 wreaths for Arlington.
Why This Tradition Matters
For Gold Star families, a wreath is more than greenery — it’s a promise that their loved one is remembered.
On Wreaths Across America Day, people from all walks of life stand together in gratitude. Children learn what service means. Families honor legacy. Communities reconnect through purpose.
As Executive Director, Karen Worcester says:
“We’re not here to decorate graves; we’re here to remember lives.”
This tradition endures because Maine understands the importance of honoring sacrifice, preserving memory, and teaching the next generation.
The Annual Challenge: Wreaths Needed
Every year, the need outpaces the supply.
Some cemeteries meet their goals — many do not.
When that happens, veterans go without a remembrance wreath. That’s why every sponsorship matters:
One wreath. One name spoken. One life honored.
How You Can Help
You don’t have to travel far or volunteer every weekend — you just have to care (and Maine is wicked good at caring).
🌲 Sponsor a Wreath — $17
Dedicate a wreath in honor of a veteran.
🤝 Volunteer on December 13
A few hours creates a lifelong impact.
📣 Spread the Word
Share online, host a fundraiser, or encourage your workplace to participate.
🎓 Teach the Next Generation
Use WAA educational resources to spark conversations about service and citizenship.
Final Thoughts: A Maine Tradition Worth Sharing
Wreaths Across America is more than an event — it’s a reflection of who we are as Mainers: resilient, community-minded, and deeply grateful.
What began with one surplus wreath in Washington County has grown into a nationwide reminder that remembrance is a responsibility we share.
Each December, volunteers stand shoulder-to-shoulder, bow their heads, speak a name, and place a wreath with care. In that moment, a veteran becomes more than a stone — they become a story, a legacy, a life honored.
Because at its heart, this tradition isn’t about wreaths.
It’s about people.
It’s about gratitude.
It’s about teaching the next generation what service truly means.
Maine may be where this mission began, but its impact reaches far beyond our rocky shoreline. Every wreath sponsored, every name spoken, and every volunteer who shows up becomes part of a movement that is Maine-born and America-strong.
So this December — whether you’re at a large coastal ceremony or a small hillside cemetery tucked between pines — know you’re part of something meaningful and enduring.
Because every wreath tells a story — and every hero deserves one.