World's Longest Veterans Parade Escorts Wreaths To Arlington National Cemetery

Wreaths Across America™ Begins National Trek From Maine To Virginia With Wreaths To Honor Those Who Serve And Sacrifice

HARRINGTON, Maine, Dec. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Beginning on Sunday, December 5th, over 200,000 donated Christmas Wreaths from the State of Maine will begin their journey to more than 500 locations including state and national veterans cemeteries all across the Country as part of the annual Wreaths Across America™ project.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101119/DC05454 )

Escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders and other support groups, the wreaths will make their 19th annual trek to Arlington National Cemetery, where they will make their eventual home adorning the graves of our veterans – a solemn tribute to those who serve and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The Wreaths Across America™ story began over 19 years ago when the Worcester Wreath Company from Harrington, Maine initiated a tradition of donating and placing wreaths on the headstones of our Nation's fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery.

2010 will mark the fifth annual wreath escort - making it the World's Longest Veterans Parade, where the wreaths will be escorted by dozens of vehicles from the Patriot Guard Riders (motor cycles and flagged vehicles) and other supporters who will rally along the 750-miles from Maine to Virginia to show their respect and appreciation. Stops in Maine and rally locations include:

• Sunrise Service at Quoddy Head (first light of day at easternmost point) and US/Canada border ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 4th
• Escort Send-off from Harrington, ME on Sunday, Dec. 5th (9:15 a.m.)
• Hermon Elementary School (11:45 a.m.)
• Chevrus High School (5:15 p.m.)
• Rally at Cabela's in Scarborough (6:30 p.m.) First 100 veterans and active military to receive a complimentary remembrance wreath.
• Wells Middle School on Monday, Dec. 6th (7:45 a.m.)
• Kittery Trading Post at (8:45 a.m.)
• Over 20 stops and rallies in total from Maine to Virginia!

* for a complete list of escort stops and rallies visit www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org/escort-to-arlington.html

A number of other communities and metropolitan areas plan events to participate in the annual event to honor their veterans. Over the course of the 7-day journey the caravan will be escorted by vehicle and motorcycle support from each state and passing thru 196 communities en route to the final destination in Virginia.

In addition to the 24,000 donated wreaths destined for Arlington, Wreaths Across America will deliver 2,400 wreaths to Togus Veterans Cemetery (Augusta, ME) and over two hundred thousand wreaths to 500+ state and national veterans cemeteries and monuments around the Country – all participating locations in the Wreaths Across America campaign.

For people who wish to support the project, wreath sponsorships are available online. A complete list of participating locations is available on the website at www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org.

If you'd like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Karen Worcester ~ Executive Director of WreathsAcrossAmerica.org call Toll-Free: (877) 385-9504 or email [email protected]

Wreaths Across America™ (WAA) is a national non-profit organization that has grown quickly to encompass over 500 participating locations and 160,000+ volunteers around the Country.

The Wreaths Across America's mission is to Remember, Honor, and Teach. Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve including their families who sacrifice, and Teach our children the cost of the freedoms we enjoy each day. It is our shared belief that...

'The nation which forgets its defenders will soon be forgotten.' Calvin Coolidge

WAA pursues its mission with nation-wide wreath-laying events amid the holiday season, and year-round educational outreach inviting all Americans to appreciate our freedoms and the cost at which they are delivered.

SOURCE Wreaths Across America