Portland, OREGON and Columbia Falls, MAINE -- Dec. 16, 2017 -- Each December, Americans from all walks of life join together across the country to honor the service and sacrifices of their local veterans by participating in National Wreaths Across America Day -- this year, it will be held at more than 1,300 locations on Saturday, Dec. 16. Locally, at Willamette National Cemetery, there are more than 140,000 headstones, each with name engraved of a person who fought for the freedoms we all enjoy today. To date, only 350 remembrance wreaths have been sponsored for placement each year. However, the volunteers heading up the project locally were notified today an additional 5100 wreaths are being sent to the location from Wreaths Across America headquarters.
Both wreath sponsorships and the donation of volunteer time make the annual event a success. The national theme for the 2017 National Wreath Remembrance Day is 'I'm an American. Yes, I am!' which was inspired by a song of the same title, written by Maine native Rick Charette. The song and theme represent the sense of community and common ground that is fostered when people work together to support the military and their families.
"National Wreaths Across America Day is an opportunity to pause and say thank you during the busiest time of year, when so many are missing their loved ones even more. Placing a wreath and reading each name out loud keeps the memory of our veterans alive and represents a chance for the local community of Portland, OR, to honor local veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for us all," said Karen Worcester, executive director, Wreaths Across America.
National Wreaths Across America Day began as a pilgrimage by a Maine wreath maker in a single truck delivering 5,000 donated wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery in 1992. Since then, the wreath laying has become an annual day of remembrance that honors fallen military and their families across the country.
Volunteers are needed to help place the wreaths at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, OR. Please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org to find details about the local event or email h.perkins@orwg.cap.gov if you would like details on how to volunteer.
National Wreaths Across America Day is a free event and open to all people.
About Wreaths Across America
Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization's mission -- Remember, Honor, Teach -- is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as at hundreds of veterans' cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. For more information or to sponsor a wreath please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.