Remember, Honor, Teach
In 1992, one individual with a surplus of wreaths started something at Arlington National Cemetery that has continued to grow to more than 1,200 locations today.
Drawing on a boyhood experience, Morrill Worchester started a tradition of laying wreaths on the graves of service members that would go on quietly for more than ten years. Then in 2005, a seemingly simple picture began circulating—headstones covered in snow with a wreath placed upon them. Requests began pouring in to assist with the project at Arlington and to honor those laid in other national and state cemeteries.
In 2007, Mr. Worchester and others involved in the program started Wreaths Across America. Now, hundreds of thousands of wreaths are laid on the second or third Saturday in December at each grave marker in veterans’ cemeteries across the globe.
There’s three goals that the organization has: Remember, honor, teach.
For a number of years, our family has participated in Wreaths Across America in different ways, but the most influential has been attending an actual ceremony and helping lay wreaths. Across the program, all ceremonies are aligned with the time of the ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
During the wreath laying, you see those of all ages who have come to help—veterans, members of support organizations, and even children. As we have laid wreaths, we will say their names and make note to do a little research later.
A couple of years ago, we laid a wreath at the headstone of a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, John E. Clancy. After getting home, we looked up his history and found out what happened between the two dates carved in stone under his name.
Mr. Clancy is an Indian Wars Congressional Medal of Honor (CMOH) Recipient. He served during the Indian Wars as a musician in Battery E, 1st United States Regular Artillery. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery at Wounded Knee Creek, South Dakota, on Dec. 29, 1890. His citation reads “Twice voluntarily rescued wounded comrades under fire of the enemy.” His Medal was awarded to him on Jan. 23, 1892.
In addition to learning more about Mr. Clancy, we also learned of multiple World War II Prisoners of War who had died while at Fort Riley and were interred at the cemetery on post.
When we remember those who came before us, we also honor those who to continue to serve and teach the next generation the value of freedom.
This year’s Wreaths Across America will take place on Dec. 16 at cemeteries across the country aligned with the 10 a.m. eastern ceremony time at Arlington National Cemetery. If you would like to learn more about where a ceremony is available locally, check out Wreaths Across America.
