ELLSWORTH (NEWS CENTER Maine) -- A years-long Maine tradition is en route to Arlington, Virginia.
The Wreaths Across America convoy made its first stop Sunday morning with hundreds of onlookers and well-wishers sending their best.
The single-digit temps didn't stop folks from coming out in Ellsworth to pay tribute to Maine's veterans and see the convoy off on its trip to Arlington National Cemetery.
Veterans, Gold Star families, and volunteers are driving thousands of Maine-made balsam wreaths to Arlington to leave at the graves of fallen veterans right before the holidays.
"The patriotism I see is just tremendous," said Gold Star mother, Becky Christmas. "It's very important that we teach our young people the meaning of sacrifice and service and what it means to be an American and that we all have a duty to help others, help our veterans, remember our veterans, and do very, very special things like laying a wreath on a veteran's grave means so very much."
This "event today is so refreshing," said Senator Susan Collins, who addressed the crowd during the convoy's stop. "It brings us together. It reminds us of how proud we are to be Americans and how grateful we are to those who have defended our freedom.”
The convoy is scheduled to arrive at Arlington National Cemetery Saturday after making additional stops along the way, including one in Augusta Sunday evening.