Christmas Wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery - Thanks to a Patriot from Maine

As long time readers of The White Rhino Report are aware, Arlington National Cemetery holds a special place in my heart. I attended the burial of Dennis Hay there when he was laid to rest in 2005.

http://whiterhinoreport.blogspot.com/2005/10/resting-place-of-dead-has-something-to.html


So, I was thrilled when my friend, David Thistle, a military veteran, made me aware of a heart-warming Christmas tradition of laying wreaths on over 5,000 graves at Arlington.

Here is a quick summary of the tradition, taken from an e-mail that David forwarded to me:

"Christmas at Arlington and one big, American thank-you is certainly due to Merrill Worcester and the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine. To do something like this year after year is above and beyond the call of duty. Here's a salute to you, Merrill, and I hope you get many more."


Arlington National Cemetery






Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.


Know the line has held, your job is done.


Rest easy, sleep well.


Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held.


Peace, peace, and farewell...






"Readers may be interested to know that these wreaths -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine. The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one the poorest parts of the state."

_____


The link below shows volunteers laying the wreaths a year ago:

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/photo_gallery/12-18-06.html

As I visited the Webstie for the Worcester Wreath Company, I learned that L. L. Bean is the largest retail distributor of their wreaths. So, if you buy a wreath from L. L. Bean, you are supporting this worthy tribute to our fallen heroes.

The Website also directed me to a link to an organization called: Wreaths-Across-America. If you are motivated to do something locally to honor those who gave their lives for America, there is information on how you can become involved:

http://www.wreaths-across-america.org/worcester-wreath.html

Let us each use the inspiration of Mr. Worcester's generosity to prompt us to make a concrete gesture this holiday season to honor the memory of a warrior or reach out in support to a returning veteran or family of a veteran.

Al