2013 Factsheet Who We Are • Wreaths Across AmericaTM (WAA) is a national nonprofit organization founded in 2007 to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman, Morrill Worcester, in 1992. o 1992 - First wreaths (5,000) donated by Morrill Worcester and Worcester Wreath Co. o 2005 - Iconic photo of wreaths in snow becomes a viral sensation o 2007 - Wreaths Across America formed as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization o Organization governed by Board of Directors. Day-to-day operations managed by Executive Director Karen Worcester. • WAA’s mission — Remember, Honor, Teach — is carried out in part by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington, as well as veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. • The organization has since expanded to include more than 1,000 local fundraising groups in all 50 states representing more than 800 cemeteries, military memorials and other locations, along with our nation’s cemetery at Arlington. • In 2008, and each year since, Congress has issued a proclamation officially recognizing “Wreaths Across America Day” each December. This year, it will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2013. 2012 Numbers • 21st year – the anniversary marked the placing of the one-millionth wreath since 1992. • 406,000 wreaths in total were placed in 2012; 105,000 at Arlington National Cemetery (over 25 total tractor trailer loads). • 815 participating locations all around the country, in all 50 states and at national veterans’ cemeteries on foreign soil. • More than 80 volunteer trucking companies and drivers helped deliver the wreaths. Those who traveled in the 2012 escort to Arlington: • Gold Star family members including Mary Byers - Grand Marshall of the Escort and National President of the American Gold Star Mothers. • MG Peter M. Alyward (retired) and SGT Henry Salice, US Army, representatives of the Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration. • Veterans representing all branches of the military. • The First Lady of Maine Ann LePage, who were joined at Arlington by Governor Paul LePage • Media Communications students from Hancock County Technical Center (HCTC) in Ellsworth, Maine. Under the direction of instructor Benjamin Speed, six students from the program collected video, audio and photographs along the escort. • Morrill Worcester (Founder) and Karen Worcester (Executive Director) of Wreaths Across America. • Escort of wreaths to Arlington conducted by and special thanks to the Patriot Guard Riders (Escort Coordinators John and Bunny O’Leary) and with the support of numerous State Police and local law enforcement offices along the way. What We Do Remember. • Our annual pilgrimage from Harrington, Maine, to Arlington National Cemetery has become known as the world’s largest veterans parade, stopping at schools, monuments, veterans’ homes and communities all along the way to remind people how important it is to remember, honor and teach. • Special memorials are held for Pearl Harbor, Bunker Hill, Charleston Naval Shipyard, and a wreath for every victim of 9-11 in New York City, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Penn. • The HART Ceremony (Honoring Allies and Remembering Together) is conducted each year to honor veterans of our nation’s allies in two ceremonies on international border crossing bridges between Calais, Maine, and St. Stephen, New Brunswick, and; Detroit, Mich., and Windsor, Ontario. • Wreaths Across America hosts State House ceremonies in nearly all 50 states. Honor. • Wreaths Across America also conducts several programs to honor our veterans, including our popular “Thanks a Million” campaign, which distributes thank you cards to people all over the country to share with veterans a simple “thank you” for their service. • We participate in veterans’ events throughout the year, and have a veteran liaison on staff to work with local veterans’ organizations, as well as public outreach through Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day programs, public service announcements, press coverage, and our website. Teach. • WAA is committed to teaching younger generations about the value of their freedoms and the importance of honoring those who sacrificed so much to protect those freedoms. We offer learning tools, interactive media projects, and opportunities for schools, 4H, Scouts and other youth groups to participate in our efforts. • A downloadable curriculum and books to help school children appreciate the roles our veterans played in preserving their freedoms. They are designed to encourage the direct involvement of local veterans.
Posted on: Sun, 27 Oct 2013 01:25:41 +0000
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