Good Works: Wreaths Across America

The Wreaths Across America story began over 15 years ago when Worcester Wreath Company (a for-profit commercial business from Harrington, Maine) began a tradition of placing wreaths on the headstones of our Nation's fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery during the holidays.

Over that period of time, Worcester Wreath has donated 90,000 wreaths which were placed by volunteers in a wreath-laying ceremony each December. But as word spread, the mission to Remember; Honor; and Teach about the sacrifices made by our veterans has captured the hearts and minds of many communities across the Country.

In December 2007, 286 participating locations hosted Wreaths Across America ceremonies overseeing the placement of 32,553 wreaths on the headstones of those who served and sacrificed for our freedoms. In 2008 that number will exceed 350 locations and 100,000 wreaths placed in honor!

Source: Wreaths Across America
Related: Worcester Wreath Company

This year's wreath-laying ceremonies will be held concurrently on Saturday, December 13th, 2008 at Noon Eastern time.

Here are the locations in North Carolina:

N.C. Vietnam Veterans Memorial - Thomasville

Salisbury National Cemetery - Salisbury

Salisbury National Cemetery Annex - Salisbury

Wilmington National Cemetery - Wilmington

New Bern National Cemetery - New Bern

Raleigh State Capital Veterans Memorial

Coastal State Veterans Cemetery - Jacksonville

Bryson War Memorial - Bryson City

Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery - Spring Lake

Raleigh National Cemetery - Raleigh

Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery - Black Mountain

Fort Bragg Main Post Cemetery - Fort Bragg

North Carolina Veteran's Freedom Park, Cary


For information in other states, click here.

And, as if that weren't enough, the thirty tractor trailers filled with wreaths are escorted by Patriot Guard Riders from Maine to Virginia, making more than twenty stops along the way on a journey that ends at Arlington National Cemetary.