Wreaths Across America
National Website |
Welcome to Somerset Cemeteries. This website is dedicated to raising awareness and spreading information for Wreaths Across America. On this page you will be able to stay informed about meetings, progress, and needs to reach our goal of placing a wreath on the grave of every veteran buried in Somerset.
The tradition of laying wreaths on the graves of veterans was started in 1992 by Morrill Worcester of Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine. When he had 5000 wreaths left over, nearing the end of the holiday season, he remembered a trip to Arlington as a young child. From that memory he was inspired to send the wreaths to the oldest section of Arlington with the help of volunteers. He didn’t want those who had given so much for our freedom to be forgotten. He continues to send wreaths every year. In 2007 the picture of the wreaths in the snow went viral, and the non-profit Wreaths Across America was born. In 2021, 100,000 volunteers placed over 400,000 wreaths in Arlington National Cemetery covering every grave for the third year in a row. Across the country, at nearly 1400 locations, over 2.5 Milllion wreaths were placed in honor of those who served this great nation. After participating at Arlington, Somerset resident Kathleen Gunning was moved to bring this great program to Somerset. We hope you will find this page helpful with information about the program and what you need to know to participate. Whether it’s helping with fundraising, laying wreaths or just removing them in January, we appreciate any help you can give. Please spread the word! |
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
― Mahatma Gandhi