Wreaths Across America Delivers 143,000 Wreaths to Arlington Cemetery
Truck drivers helped honor veterans Dec. 14 by taking part in an annual tradition of laying Christmas wreaths at the headstones of fallen U.S. soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.
More than 143,000 wreaths were placed at Arlington by 30,000 volunteers working with Wreaths Across America, the organization said in a statement.
The figure represents the largest number of wreaths the group has delivered since the event began 22 years ago, according to the Wreaths Across America. In all, volunteers laid 540,000 wreaths at 908 veterans cemeteries across the United States.
American Trucking Associations, along with more than 100 motor carriers, helped deliver the wreaths. ATA’s “Share the Road” truck hauled handmade wreaths as part of a convoy of more than 30 vehicles from Harrington, Maine, where Wreaths Across America is based, to Arlington.
For the first time this year, the group distributed wreaths to truckers to put on the front of their vehicles in addition to wreaths for cemeteries.
“It is truly an honor to be part of the Wreaths Across America convoy to Arlington Cemetery," Eddie Hosegood, a driver with Publix Supermarkets, said in an ATA statement. “The number of professional truck drivers, trucking companies and volunteers who joined together to honor our fallen soldiers is touching. This is a very rewarding way to start the holiday season.”
The Arlington event this year included Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Co. and founder of Wreaths Across America; Maine Gov. Paul LePage (R) and first lady Ann LePage; Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America; Patrick Hallinan, superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery and Chris Burruss, president of the Truckload Carriers Association, Wreaths Across America said.
Also for the first time this year, the organization stopped at the Statue of Liberty for the placement of a special Freedom Wreath.
