Legion family big part of Wreaths Across America Day

More than 25,000 volunteers gathered at Arlington National Cemetery Dec. 13, to participate in Wreaths Across America Day, an event held in remembrance of the veterans laid to rest at veterans cemeteries across the nation. During the day’s festivities, Legionnaires, Legion Riders, American Legion Auxiliary members and Sons of The American Legion members laid remembrance wreathes on marked graves alongside servicemembers, veterans and spectators from various parts of the country.

The participants helped Wreaths Across America reach a significant milestone – laying the 2 millionth wreath nationwide in memory of Pvt. William Christman, the first soldier buried at the cemetery.

Legionnaire, Bill Gilbert, a member of Post 87 in Dansville, N.Y., said he found inspiration in the meaning of the event – “Remember, Honor, Teach.”

“This is my fifth year doing this,” he said. “I do this every year for the love of doing it. It’s heartfelt to me, and it really gives me a sense of pride to give back to the warriors that can’t be with us.”

Since 1992, Morrill Worcester – owner of Worcester Wreath Company of Harrington, Maine – and his family have been laying wreaths at the resting places of veterans across the nation. The wreaths left Harrington on Dec. 7 with a convoy of trucks, busses and motorcycles, all of whom made the trip down to the nation’s capital for the event. Along the way, the convoy stopped at schools, veterans homes and communities.

Douglas Dowling, Department of Maine 15th District commander, was part of the convoy. He said he appreciated the fact that Maine Gov. Paul LePage and his wife made the trip down for the event. “They do a lot for our troops,“ Dowling said. “It’s great. They are very supportive of veterans too.

Dowling admitted that the nearly week-long trip down took a lot out of him. But as he clutched his handmade cane engraved with an American flag, the disabled Vietnam veteran said the trip and every stop along the way was worth it.

For many, including Legion Rider Mike Cook, the event gave people a chance to not only remember the fallen, but also to pay respect to their loved ones, taking time to visit and lay wreaths and other tokens of appreciation at their graves. “It means a lot to come out here and do this,” Cook said.

After the wreaths were laid, families embraced and people wiped tears from their eyes.

“It’s and honor to remember and commemorate those who fought and died for our country,” Cook said. “They were our family members. They were our friends.”