AUGUSTA, Maine — The Wreaths Across America convoy from Washington County to the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. is the largest parade honoring veterans in the world.
On Monday, the organization held a ceremony at the statehouse, marking the beginning of local efforts around the state as well as around the country to place remembrance wreaths on the headstones of our nation's fallen veterans.
"We can never thank enough those who have served so we have this freedom to speak as you and I are today," Maine's Wreaths Across America Statehouse Coordinator Richard Barter said.
The organization hung a wreath at the statehouse recognizing each branch of the military.
In 2022, 2.7 million wreaths were placed at headstones around the country and worldwide with the help of more than 2-million volunteers, more than a third of which were children.
"It is so important today to teach our young what these people sacrificed, so they would have the freedom they have," Barter said.
Tom Greehan served in the Air Force for 20 years. He said he's been participating in Wreaths Across America for 10 years as a way to remember those who had sacrificed so much.
"You'll see a lot of us kneel and touch the stone and talk to it and mention his name because as long his name's being said, he's not forgotten," Greehan said.
This Saturday marks National Wreaths Across America Day, where millions of volunteers will place wreaths in local and national cemeteries, as well veterans' memorials.