Wreaths Across America at M.J. Dolly Cooper Veterans Cemetery

It was December 1992 in Harrington, Maine, when wreath maker Morrill Worcester found himself with a surplus of 5,000 wreaths during the holiday season. Worcester saw the surplus as an opportunity to pay tribute to our country’s veterans and with the help of Maine Senator Olympia Snowe, arranged for the wreaths to be placed at Arlington National Cemetery. This annual tribute to our country’s veterans has continued ever since, touching the lives of millions of veterans’ families and volunteers and growing in scope through the years. In 2007, the Worcester family along with veterans and volunteers formed the non-profit organization Wreaths Across America to continue and expand their efforts at Arlington National Cemetery and to support those around the country who wished to do the same. Wreaths Across America’s mission is simple: Remember the fallen, Honor those that serve, and Teach the next generation about the value of freedom. In 2017 alone, Wreaths Across America and its national network of volunteers place over 1.5 million veterans’ wreaths at 1,433 locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea, and abroad. This year, National Wreaths Across America day will be held on Saturday, December 15th 2018, and locally, a ceremony will be held at M.J. ‘Dolly’ Cooper Veterans Cemetery in Anderson, SC followed by the placement of wreaths. In 2017, we were able to place a wreath at every in-ground grave here.