Maine group lays wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. John Baldacci and coach John Winkin joined more than three dozen members of the Maine State Society in placing about 4,500 Maine wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery outside Washington, D.C., Wednesday. For the eighth year, Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine, donated balsam fir wreaths to honor our nation’s service members. The wreaths were transported by Blue Bird Ranch trucking of Jonesboro.

In addition to placing the wreaths on the grave sites of U.S. military personnel, Baldacci, Winkin and Maine State Society members, along with Mrs. Jane Muskie, put wreaths at the grave of former U.S. Sen. Ed Muskie, at the Memorial Mast of the USS Maine, and at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

“The Worcester Wreath Co. and Blue Bird Ranch trucking deserve recognition and thanks for creating this special annual tradition. With the help of Maine State Society members, they are able to bring a piece of Maine to our nation’s capital each holiday season and honor those who gave their lives in service to country and defense of freedom,” Baldacci said.

Baldacci highlighted the efforts of Morrill Worcester of Worcester Wreath Co. and Hugh Dwelley of the Maine State Society for providing the wreaths and organizing the volunteers. He also noted that Al Hackett of the Bangor area traveled to Washington and participated in the event.