The nonprofit organization visited Kennebunk and Wells as part of its “Escort to Arlington” project, which starts in Harrington and ends at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Along the way, the long caravan of trucks, cars and 18-wheelers filled with wreaths stops at schools, memorials and town centers to donate wreaths and honor those who have served in the United States armed forces.
In Kennebunk, the caravan was welcomed by a rippling American flag, hung by the fire department between two ladder trucks over Main Street. There was a brief ceremony at Washington Park, led by Town Manager Barry Tibbetts.
The wreaths were presented to a group of local veterans and first responders by the organization’s Executive Director Karen Worcester and the governor’s wife, Ann LePage. Worcester thanked the large crowd and made special note of the young people in attendance.
“We do appreciate that the kids are here,” she said. “Remembering is not enough. … When you come out like this and bring your kids and show them how important it is to have the backs of those who serve in the military and those who protect us in everyday life, we’re moving in the right direction.”
Wreaths Across America started in Harrington as the project of the Worcester Wreath company and its founder, Morrill Worcester. In 1992, Worcester began placing wreaths on some of the less-remembered corners of Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, with the help of a local trucking company and the Maine State Society of Washington, D.C.
In 2005, the organization garnered national attention thanks to a photo of the Arlington wreaths that went viral on the Internet. Since then, Wreaths Across America has become a 501-(c)(3) organization and lays hundreds of thousands of wreaths in all 50 states and beyond.
The “Escort to Arlington” parade began on Sunday, Dec. 6 in Harrington and will end in Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday. The long line of trucks full of wreaths made stops in Machias, Calais, Bucksport, Harrington, Belfast, Lincolnville, Waldoboro, Portland, Westbrook, Scarborough, Kennebunk, Wells and Kittery over a busy first three days.
Ann LePage, who accompanied the parade, also spoke at the Kennebunk stop, saying, “I can’t think of anything that’s more important, especially now, than to honor our men and women in uniform and our veterans.”
— Christian Letourneau can be contacted at 282-1535.
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