Like many of you, this past weekend I had the opportunity to participate in a Wreaths Across American ceremony, in my hometown of Memphis, at the Memphis National Cemetery. I occasionally - and wryly- refer to this as my annual Memphis family reunion, as my Dad and Mother, Grandfather and Grandmother and one uncle are buried there. Another uncle has his memorial marker located at the cemetery. 

  For those of you who are not familiar with Wreaths Across America, it began with Merrill Worcester of Maine donating excess wreaths from his company, Worcester Wreaths, to decorate an older section of Arlington National Cemetery, which had over the years seen a decrease of visitors. Mr. Worcester chose ANC as he had visited it as a young child - he never forgot that visit. Over the years, that first donation, facilitated by Maine Senator Olympia Snowe, has grown not only at ANC, but nationwide. This year, for the first time, internationally with the American Battlefield Monuments Commission (ABMC) cemetery at Normandy.

 

  The eventual goal is to have a wreath at each veteran's grave site, regardless of location. Having helped coordinate the cemetery at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, participation in the program, and now having attended the WAA ceremony in Memphis for the fourth year, I can certainly state that this is one of the more meaningful events I take part in each year. If you would like any additional information about the program, you can find it at their website,  wreathsacrossamerica.org.

 

  And as I look at the calendar, I am well aware that many of us will be in a car, train or plane over the next few days for holiday gatherings. I wish each of you a safe trip, and a rewarding time with family and friends.