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Published Sunday, December 13, 2009 in Local

Wreaths Across America ceremony held at plaza

By News Staff

The Newnan Times-Herald

In solemn ceremonies, wreaths were placed at Veterans Memorial Plaza on Saturday.

The noon event was part of the national Wreaths Across America project. Seven wreaths were placed -- one for each of the medallions paying tribute to a branch of military service and Prisoner of War/Missing In Action personnel.

John O'Connor, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2667, organized the local event. Also participating were the American Legion and the AMVETS -- as well as Sons of the American Legion and the 48th Brigade's home support group.

Retired Gen. Joe Brooks gave the keynote speech.

Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization with headquarters in Harrington, Maine. The wreath project was formed as an extension of the Arlington Wreath Project.

The Arlington Wreath program was started by Morrill Worcester in 1992 with the donation and laying of 5,000 Christmas wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery. This became an annual journey for Worcester, but the project remained low-key -- and relatively obscure -- until 2005.

That year, images of the simple grave markers at Arlington adorned with wreaths and covered in snow circulated around the Internet. The project received national attention, and thousands of requests came from all over the country from people wanting to emulate the Arlington project in their communities.

In 2006 -- with the help of the Civil Air Patrol and other civic organizations -- more than 150 locations held wreath laying ceremonies simultaneously.

By 2008, more than 300 locations were holding wreath laying ceremonies. There were Wreaths Across America ceremonies last year in every state, in Puerto Rico and in 24 overseas cemeteries. More than 100,000 wreaths were placed on veterans graves, and 60,000-plus volunteers participated.

The wreath laying is now held annually on the second Saturday of December. Congress has officially proclaimed it Wreaths Across America Day.

Wreath ceremonies were scheduled at more than 400 locations Saturday. The Patriot Guard Riders and other support groups accompanied the wreaths as they were distributed across the country.

Wreaths were to be placed in all 50 states, from Maine to Alaska to Hawaii, several locations is Iraq, and at 24 national cemeteries on foreign soil.

Individuals and organizations can provide wreath sponsorships for $15 and up. Information is available at www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org . Donations may be sent to: Wreaths Across America, P.O. Box 256, Harrington, ME 04643.