Wreaths Across America Announces 2021 Escort to Arlington
Wiscasset Speedway will host the participants in a local event open to the public
The country’s longest veterans’ parade – Wreaths Across America’s annual escort to Arlington National Cemetery – kicks off on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, and will make a planned stop at Wiscasset Speedway in Wiscasset, Maine on Sunday, December 12th at 3:00 pm. The event is free and open to the public. Wiscasset Speedway is located at 274 West Alna Road, Wiscasset.
The celebration at Wiscasset Speedway will feature a greeting by local dignitaries and area public safety departments, as well as speeches by Gold Star family representatives. For patrons that arrive early, they will be able to enter the Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit which will be set up beginning at 1:15 pm near the main gate. The exhibit further highlights the organization’s mission to REMEMBER, HONOR, and TEACH. The WAA convoy will arrive at 3:00 pm with a police escort and the ceremony is expected to wrap up with the convoy departure at 4:15 pm.
The official escort will travel down the East Coast stopping at schools, memorials, and other locations along the way to spread the mission to REMEMBER, HONOR and TEACH. Stops with public events will be held in Maine, Vermont, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Washington D.C., before arriving at Arlington National Cemetery on the morning of Saturday, Dec. 18 – National Wreaths Across America Day.
To view the complete schedule, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/arlington-escort-information.
National President of American Gold Star Mothers Inc. (AGSM) Jo Ann Maitland and President Emeritus of Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. (GSW) Nancy Menagh will lead the caravan as this year’s Co-Grand Marshals. Participants for this year’s convoy include Gold Star Families, Blue Star Families, veterans, volunteers, and members of the Patriot Guard Riders and Patriot Riders. Law enforcement from departments across Maine and other states along the route will provide escort to ensure safe transport for all participants throughout the week.
Twelve tractor-trailers representing Walmart Transportation, Schneider National, Gully Transportation, Witte Bros. Exchange, Inc., Hartt Transportation Systems, Inc., Delhaize Transportation LLC (DBA Hannaford Supermarkets), American Trucking Associations – Share the Road Truck, Pottle’s Transportation, Cargo Transporters, Inc., Boyd Grain Inc., Hampton Road Moving & Storage, and Tyson Foods, Inc., will haul a portion of the sponsored veterans’ wreaths heading to Arlington National Cemetery for placement on Saturday, Dec. 18. Additionally, Load One Carriers will once again serve as the ceremonial wreath transporter for the escort.
In total, nearly 257,000 sponsored wreaths are needed to reach the goal of placing a wreath on every eligible marker at Arlington National Cemetery. To sponsor a $15 veteran’s wreath for this location, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/ARLING. Note, volunteers placing wreaths at Arlington will be required to preregister this year and show proof of registration on Wreath Day. You may also register at the above site.
What began 30 years ago as a pilgrimage by Maine wreath maker, Morrill Worcester, in a single truck to deliver 5,000 wreaths to Arlington as a gesture of thanks has become a national mission to Remember, Honor, Teach. National Wreaths Across America Day ceremonies are happening at more than 2,900 participating locations across the country on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021. These events are free and open to all people. To find a participating location near you to support and/or volunteer to place wreaths, click here.
About Wreaths Across America
Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as at more than 2,900 participating locations in all 50 states and overseas. For more information, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.
Sources: Ken Minott/Wiscasset Speedway PR