Gigantic wreath to honor U.S. troops Maine Guard base site for decoration

AUGUSTA – Designed to measure 150 feet across and 496 feet in circumference, a Soldiers’ Wreath is being prepared outside the home base of the Maine National Guard at Camp Keyes.

Plans call for the wreath to be illuminated Dec. 7, when 500 Maine Guard troops will be activated for duty in the Middle East or Afghanistan.

Wal-Mart is donating a string of 10,000 white lights and 2,000 yellow ribbons will be tied to the fresh tree boughs forming the wreath.

“This whole thing is about recognizing the troops out there and recognizing their families,” said Corey Folsom, the wreath’s chief designer.

The 33-year-old Augusta resident hopes to have Guard soldiers awaiting deployment, their families, and other family members of Maine soldiers, airmen, sailors and Marines presently overseas to visit the wreath Dec. 6.

Photographs of men and women in the armed forces will be affixed beside the ribbons.

“I’d like to get 500 photos,” Folsom said.

Video production students at Capital Area Technical Center are recording the project.

“I’ve been told the video will be in the hands of soldiers in Iraq before Christmas,” said Folsom, an employee of Soul Auto Supply in Chelsea.

So far, he said, about 9,000 pounds of brush have been delivered to the sloping ground where the wreath is being formed. Another 2,000 pounds might be needed to complete the job.

“Originally, this started out as a world-record attempt. The old record for the biggest wreath is 116 feet in diameter, in New Jersey,” said Folsom, who had been planning for a record-breaker since 2000.

More recently, the focus became a show of support for U.S. troops.

“I’ve always believed in doing what you can for your community,” Folsom said.