Remember. Honor. Teach. These three words embody what it means to respect our fallen soldiers. Started in 2007, the non-profit organization Wreaths Across America strives to fulfill those words. Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine, had to find a place for the excess wreaths not sold after the holidays. Reminiscing on his experience visiting the Arlington Cemetery when he was a boy, he decided to ship the excess wreaths as a tribute to be placed on the fallen soldiers’ headstones. The event was not advertised for a decade, but after a photo of the holiday wreaths on the stones covered in snow surfaced online in 2005, it received national attention. People all across America wanted in on his project. Following that year, over 150 wreath-placing ceremonies took place in different cemeteries across the country. In 2007, the non-profit became official, and the project reached thousands of people. This year’s theme is “Live With Purpose,” drawing inspiration from the millions of volunteers who impact their communities.
Rho Kappa, a national social studies honors society, has a chapter at Woodgrove High School that helps contribute to the non-profit’s mission. Every December, they partake in laying wreaths during the Wreaths Across America ceremony in Arlington, Virginia. “It’s just a really nice act of service you can do, and putting wreaths on someone’s grave is a way to not forget about that person,” senior Lillian Hackett, Vice President of Rho Kappa, explained. Touching the hearts of many military families, Wreaths Across America helps comfort those grieving during the holiday season. “A lot of times around the holidays, people are grieving for their family members, so it’s an act of service we can do for them,” senior Salma Jawad, President of Rho Kappa, shared. During the ceremony, the organization encourages participants to say the veterans’ names out loud to further remember and honor them. “Even if you dont know them, it’s an honor to put a wreath on their grave,” Jawad remarked.
The physical wreaths that are placed on the veterans graves have ten balsam bouquets representing qualities that veterans have. Some of these qualities include belief, love, strength, honesty, and humility. The red bow placed on the top of the wreaths represent the great sacrifice soldiers have given, and the circular shape represents eternity. “This act of remembrance provides comfort and a sense of pride to the families of the fallen. It brings together communities, fostering a sense of solidarity and support for military families,” Rho Kappa sponsor and veteran Mr. Alex Bennett shared.
This year, Wreaths Across America Day took place on Saturday, December 14. It is a free event open to all that takes place across all 50 states. If you missed it this year, you can participate next year by volunteering locally or sponsoring a wreath. Bennett added, “I love being with the students and seeing people from all across the United States participating in the wreath laying. There is something impressive about the symmetry of the wreaths being laid as you walk through the cemetery.”
