Convoy of wreaths bound for Arlington

HARRINGTON – It’s all about honor, respect and gratitude.

The atmosphere at Worcester Wreath Co. was much like it would be for any long trip: a mixture of last-minute anxieties, excitement and expectations.

But underneath it all was the somber recognition that the mission was to carry wreaths to be laid on the graves of those from past and present generations who have given their lives in the service of their country.

Tractor-trailers filled with about 35,000 wreaths left Harrington on Sunday along with a convoy of supporters that will accompany the wreaths on the first leg of their journey to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia and to other national and state veterans cemeteries around the country. As the convoy moved through Washington and Hancock counties, at times it stretched along Route 1 for as much as a mile.

This is the 16th year for the convoy, which began when Morrill Worcester took a truckload of extra wreaths to Arlington in 1992. And though the effort has grown over the years and has gained national and international media attention, the reasons behind the trip never change and never get old, Worcester said Sunday.

“It’s really about honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” he said. “It’s great to be able to do it.”

On Sunday, volunteers decorated and boxed the last of the wreaths and loaded them into the trucks while members of the convoy arrived sporadically through the morning, finding their places in the line. The convoy included police cars from all over the state, local fire engines, and cars filled with veterans, members of the Civil Air Patrol and members of the Patriot Guard Riders, several of whom will escort the convoy for the 750-mile of trip to Arlington.

The trip will include stops along the way, in Maine and in other states, where the convoy will present wreaths at schools and to veterans at VFW and American Legion posts.

“It’s going to be like that all the way to Arlington,” said John O’Leary of Norway, the leader of the Maine delegation of the Patriot Guard Riders. “It’s going to be an incredible journey.”

Some PGR riders came from out of state to ride the whole route with the wreaths. Dick Amick of Chesapeake, Va., came on his three-wheeler motorcycle and, despite the cold and the weather, plans to ride the entire route. It is a way to say thanks to the veterans and to Morrill Worcester, he said.

“If he can do all this, I figured I could do this so he could have at least one bike with them all the way,” he said. “My best friend got a wreath last year. This is a way to say thanks for him. It’s important to say thanks.”

The Civil Air Patrol has been involved in the annual wreath ritual for a number of years and last year joined with Worcester Wreaths for the nonprofit organization Wreaths Across America. This year, while 10,000 wreaths will go to Arlington, about double that number will be transported across the country. More than 250 communities are working with the organization to ensure that other national and veterans cemeteries along with other monuments and memorials are decorated with the wreaths.

This is a very patriotic time in America, according to John Williams, a Vietnam veteran and a board member of Wreaths Across America.

“You see it all over,” he said. “People want to get out and support the troops. They may not support the philosophy but they want to support the troops. This is one way to show that support.”

Many of the volunteers on Sunday were young people, members of the CAP, who were going along for all or part of the journey. They seemed to have a good understanding of the mission ahead of them.

“I plan to go into the military when I graduate in June and this is something I feel I should do,” said Josiah Duhaime, 17, of Jonesport, who has been involved with the wreath project for five years. “I take pleasure in honoring the veterans.”

Placing the wreaths is an emotional experience, and because there are so many volunteers involved, it takes just a few minutes to decorate the field of bare grave markers.

“It doesn’t take any time at all,” said Angie Sexton, 16, of Machias. “There are so many people there. In just a minute you see the tombstones have been beautifully decorated. A lot of people will ask for a wreath and take it to a relative. You can see how important it is to them.”

The convoy will take all week to travel down Route 1 to Arlington. At noon Saturday, there will be a ceremony at Arlington and, concurrently, at more than 200 other state and national cemeteries across the country.

Information is available at www.wreathsacrossamerica.com.

Rich Hewitt may be reached at rhewitt@bangordailynews.net or 667-9394.