HARRINGTON – A program started 15 years ago by a local wreath maker is set to be significantly expanded this coming Christmas season.

Last December, the Civil Air Patrol teamed up with Worcester Wreath Co. to deliver a handful of wreaths to each of 240 state and national cemeteries and veterans’ monuments across the country.

The program, called Wreaths Across America, is an extension of a project Morrill Worcester, the wreath company owner, began in 1992.

That year and every year since, Worcester has delivered 5,000 wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery to be placed on the tombstones of America’s war dead.

On Thursday, the Civil Air Patrol announced that it plans to deliver half a million wreaths to the same 240 sites that received wreaths this past Christmas. Of those wreaths, 14,000 will be donated by Worcester Wreath Co.

Major Dennis Murray of the Civil Air Patrol said Thursday that this year, each site will receive more than 2,000 wreaths, all of which will be placed directly on veterans’ headstones during ceremonies on Dec. 15.

He said Wreaths Across America will offer sponsorships for the program at $15 per wreath.

Eventually, organizers would like to see the program expand so that a wreath can be laid on every veteran’s grave in the country, Murray said.

“That’s the ultimate goal,” Murray said.

Karen Worcester, wife of Morrill Worcester and executive director of Wreaths Across America, said in a prepared statement that the expanded program will help to make sure deceased veterans get the recognition they deserve.

“Our mission is to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach our children the value of freedom,” she indicated.

“Thousands of CAP members last year participated and helped us do just that, and this year’s Wreaths Across America promises to take this worthwhile endeavor to even greater heights.”

More information about the

program is available on the Internet at www.wreathsacross

america.com.