Pro-veterans group lays wreaths on millions of fallen soldiers' gravestones before Christmas

A pro-veterans group is laying over 3 million wreaths across fallen soldiers' gravestones before Christmas, continuing the group's long tradition. 

"It's going to be a little over three million," Wreaths Across America Executive Director Karen Worcester said on the "Just the News, No Noise" TV show. "We actually added 700 new locations this year. Volunteers are just fantastic."

The nonprofit group has a holiday tradition of laying wreaths on graves at Arlington National Cemetery and will go to more locations this year. "We left on Sunday on the convoy and we were traveling down the East Coast....even with inclement weather there [were] thousands of people on the side of the road waving flags," Worcester said.

She said that Wreaths Across America has 4,908 locations and each location has a coordinator, a sponsor and volunteers to make the wreaths and prepare them for being brought across the U.S.

"It's been such a hard time for the country [and] to see everybody come together.....left, right and everybody on something we can agree on which is to remember to honor and teach about our fallen heroes," Worcester said. 

She explained that those who donate money to the nonprofit don't just sponsor a wreath but they are sponsoring programs to help veterans who are struggling financially. "We have a radio station that has 75 veteran-centric podcasts," Worcester said. "We work with other BSO's and get the word out there of where veterans in need and their families can find help. We have our mobile education exhibit."

She explained that the mobile education exhibit teaches kids in kindergarten through high school about characteristics and the responsibility of the U.S. military. 

Many of the wreaths that are sent out across the U.S. for the annual tradition are often delivered by truckers. "Another great part of the story is that 99% of them are on trucks and trailers that have been donated from big companies to independent operators," Worcester said. "It's just a wonderful coming together of everybody."

The tradition of laying wreaths started in the 90s when the Worcester Wreath company had a lot of extra wreaths and they decided to lay them on the tombs of fallen soldiers.

"For over a decade, this annual tribute went on quietly and privately," the group's website states. "Everything changed in 2005, when a photo of the stones at Arlington, adorned with wreaths and covered in snow, circulated around the internet. Suddenly, the homespun tribute from a small town in downeast Maine was receiving national attention."

Later, thousands of people wanted to get involved and it became a national activity where companies got involved through sponsoring the event and volunteers helping to lay the wreaths.

"Thousands more wanted to emulate the Arlington project at their local National and State cemeteries," the website states. "Still others simply desired to share their stories and thank Morrill Worcester for honoring our nation’s heroes. Many were surviving family members of some of those heroes."