Short History
In 1992, Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Company, had a surplus of Christmas Wreaths and began a tradition of laying wreaths at the graves of veterans buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The first year included an older section of the cemetery that received fewer and fewer visitors each year. This annual tradition expanded over the years covering more and more sections of the cemetery. In 2006, a picture of the wreaths laced with snow went viral on the internet. Requests poured in from all parts of the country wanting to emulate the tradition at their local cemeteries. In 2007, Wreaths Across America was formed as a nonprofit 501c3 organization to expand the effort nationwide. Alabama’s formal participation in the event began on December 10, 2009 following the opening of the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo.
Fundraising
The Blue Star Salute Foundation has been a leader in the fund-raising efforts to place a live Maine wreath at the site of each grave in the Alabama National Cemetery. Please consider becoming a sponsor using our online form and payment or print a copy of donation form at the bottom of our Wreaths Across America Donation Page and mail it to us at the address provided. Both the online and hardcopy forms provide for donating in memory of a loved one who has left us or in honor of a living patriot. The names of your loved ones will be included in the Ceremony Program which will be viewable online and be available for downloading and printing.
Wreaths Across America State House Ceremony, Montgomery, Alabama
The Blue Star Salute Foundation, Inc. partners with the Governor’s Office each year to plan and produce the Wreaths Across America State House Ceremony in the Alabama Capital. The patriotic event culminates with the Signing of a Proclamation naming the second Saturday of December as Wreaths Across America Day in the State of Alabama and the placement of the State House Wreath at the Alabama’s Fallen Heroes Memorial.
Annual Wreaths Across America Ceremony
The Support Committee for the Alabama National Cemetery plans and coordinates the ceremony to lay the live balsam wreath on every grave in the cemetery. At the conclusion of the patriotic Ceremony, family members pick up wreaths and place them at the graves of their loved ones. Shortly thereafter, hundreds of volunteers finish the job of placing wreaths at every grave. See the Support Committee link below for information on this year's ceremony.
Links