Today, December 9, 2012, is the second Saturday in December
which means Wreaths Across America has started its annual journey from
Harrington, Maine to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Its mission
is to “Remember, Honor, and Teach”.
Evergreen wreaths were originally hung in homes or on
doorways by pre-Christian cultures as symbols of hope, renewed light, and
victory. Catholics and Protestants of the Christian world adopted the tradition
during the sixteenth century to celebrate the hope and everlasting light of
Christ. Where its tradition came from doesn’t really matter as much as the
sentiment a wreath has woven into its circle of boughs.
Each holiday season the state of Maine ships millions of
wreaths and trees (that share a similar history with the wreath) to other
states across the nation. But, it is the convoy that departs from Worcester
Wreaths to carry wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery and 500 other locations
nationwide that fills my heart with joy and brings a tear to my eye. This is
the tradition of the wreath I choose to celebrate. I’m extremely proud my son
and grandson have both had the opportunity to be part of Dedham/Lucerne’s Fire
Department’s escort of the wreaths from the Ellsworth’s town line to Holden’s
as Wreaths Across America travels down Route 1A on the first leg of its
journey. Tomorrow at noon (EST), I will be feeling pride again as I take a
moment to remember all fifty USA statehouses and Washington, DC place wreaths to honor those who have sacrificed their lives for our
freedom.
Wreaths Across America was established because Morrill
Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreaths, remembered. He remembered a trip he
had made to Washington, DC and Arlington as a boy and he remembered what he has today is
because of those who paved the way. When his company had an overabundance of
wreaths in 1992, he delivered the extra wreaths to a section of Arlington that was experiencing declining numbers of visitors. In 2005, it was a photograph of one
of Worcester’s evergreen wreaths with its bright red bow adorning a headstone in
the snow that brought immediate fame and attention to the Wreaths Across
America tradition. A tradition Morrill Worcester started in a quiet little town
in Washington County, Maine, because he remembered.
The 2012 journey to Arlington includes VIP guests.
Besides Maine’s First Lady, six media communications students from Hancock County Technical
Center in Ellsworth are traveling with the wreaths. They will be collecting
video, audio, and photography of the escorted caravan as it meets with
veterans, gold star families, and delivers wreaths. You can follow their entire journey
through their posts online at:
Since pictures are worth a thousand words, I’ll let some I took today complete my story, though it is difficult even in a picture to express what miles of escorted wreaths actually looks like. It's one of those things you best enjoy if you're experiencing it. You may notice, as you browse, Blae and I both have cameos in this blog since my husband took some of the photos.
Watch for Maine to be mentioned on the national news when the caravan of wreaths rolls by Washington, DC and reaches its destination on December 15th!
For More information about Wreaths Across America:
To Learn More About Holiday Traditions:
Coming Up...
My next blog post will feature
"Last Night!" a unique New Year's Eve tradition in Blue Hill, Maine.
Stay tuned!
© Copyright 2012 Gail J. VanWart All Rights Reserved
Gail J. VanWart is a regular contributor to theSCENE:
a publication of Courier Publications LLC in Rockland, Maine with distribution in Waldo and Lincoln Counties
Look for upcoming contributions by Gail J. VanWart in Washington County, too:
County Wide News
County Wide is a journal of fact and opinion published since 1977 by
County Wide Communications,Inc. at 25 Main Street, P.O. Box 497, Machias, Maine 04654.
Phone (207) 255-NEWS for a free online subscription to County Wide News or E-mail countywideonline@hotmail.com
