COLUMBIA FALLS (NEWS CENTER Maine) – American veterans who lost their lives in Normandy, France on D-Day will be remembered on Saturday, December 1, with wreaths being placed at their gravesite.
Wreaths Across America, a national non-profit organization based in Columbia Falls, ME will be placing the wreaths. It’s part of their effort to place a wreath on the headstone of every US veteran. The honoring comes near the 75th anniversary of the World War II battle.
“I’ve wanted to do it for probably the last 20 years, and it’s going to come true,” said Wreaths Across America founder Morrill Worcester. Worcester began laying wreaths in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia in 1992. He is the owner of Worcester Wreaths, a wreath company based in Harrington, ME. Worcester had extra wreaths and wanted to use them to remember those who served.
After an outpouring of support and the spread of Morrill Worcester story, he and his wife, Karen Worcester, created the non-profit in Wreaths Across America in 2007. From placing wreaths at as many gravesites in Arlington as possible to today, having a wreath placed at veteran grave there, the organization has grown to heights neither ever imagined. The couples main goal, however, is to honor, remember, and teach. That’s the slogan of Wreaths Across America.
“Every one of those names will be spoken out loud. And that’s how we remember,” says Karen Worcester. “It’s so important. You can’t forget that great sacrifice.”
And now the sacrifice many American’s gave on D-Day in Normandy will be remembered. A wreath will be placed at every single American veteran grave there. The mission goes far beyond just placing a wreath, however.
“It’s not about decorating a grave, it’s about making a personal connection with our heritage. Everyone one of those people buried in those cemeteries, they’re all part of our family. Of our country and our heritage,” says Karen Worcester.
Wreaths Across America will also be making their annual trip from Maine to Washington this year. The caravan will be departing Washington County and stopping at locations along the east coast. They will arrive at Arlington National Cemetery on December 15th.