[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 200 (Thursday, December 7, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7932-S7933]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATE RESOLUTION 353--DESIGNATING DECEMBER 16, 2017, AS ``WREATHS
ACROSS AMERICA DAY''
Ms. COLLINS (for herself and Mr. King) submitted the following
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
S. Res. 353
Whereas, 26 years before the date of adoption of this
resolution, the Wreaths Across America project began with an
annual tradition, which occurs in December, of donating,
transporting, and placing 5,000 Maine balsam fir remembrance
wreaths on the graves of the fallen heroes buried at
Arlington National Cemetery;
Whereas, during the 26 years preceding the date of adoption
of this resolution, more than 4,517,000 wreaths have been
sent to locations, including national cemeteries and veterans
memorials, in every State and overseas;
Whereas the mission of the Wreaths Across America project,
to ``Remember, Honor, Teach'', is carried out in part by
coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in all 50 States and
overseas, including at--
(1) Arlington National Cemetery;
[[Page S7933]]
(2) veterans cemeteries; and
(3) other locations;
Whereas the Wreaths Across America project carries out a
week-long veterans parade from Maine to Virginia, stopping
along the way to spread a message about the importance of--
(1) remembering the fallen heroes of the United States;
(2) honoring those who serve; and
(3) reminding the people of the United States about the
sacrifices made by veterans and the families of veterans to
preserve freedoms in the United States;
Whereas, in 2016, approximately 1,200,000 remembrance
wreaths were sent to more than 1,220 locations across the
United States and overseas, which is an increase of more than
100 locations compared to the previous year;
Whereas, in December 2017, the tradition of escorting
tractor-trailers filled with donated wreaths from Harrington,
Maine, to Arlington National Cemetery will be continued by--
(1) the Patriot Guard Riders; and
(2) other patriotic escort units, including--
(A) motorcycle units;
(B) law enforcement units; and
(C) first responder units;
Whereas hundreds of thousands of individuals volunteer each
December to help lay remembrance wreaths;
Whereas, in 2017, the trucking industry in the United
States continues to support the Wreaths Across America
project by providing drivers, equipment, and related services
to assist in the transportation of wreaths to more than 1,300
locations across the United States;
Whereas the Senate designated December 17, 2016, as
``Wreaths Across America Day''; and
Whereas, on December 16, 2017, the Wreaths Across America
project will continue the proud legacy of bringing
remembrance wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates December 16, 2017, as ``Wreaths Across
America Day'';
(2) honors--
(A) the Wreaths Across America project;
(B) patriotic escort units, including--
(i) motorcycle units;
(ii) law enforcement units; and
(iii) first responder units;
(C) the trucking industry in the United States; and
(D) the volunteers and donors involved in this worthy
tradition; and
(3) recognizes--
(A) the service of veterans and members of the Armed
Forces; and
(B) the sacrifices that veterans and members of the Armed
Forces have made, and continue to make, for the United
States, a great nation.
Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I am pleased to be joined by my colleague
Senator Angus King in sponsoring this resolution to designate December
16, 2017, as Wreaths Across America Day. Since its inception, the
Wreaths Across America project has become an annual tradition of
donating, transporting, and placing Maine balsam fir remembrance
wreaths on the graves of our fallen heroes buried at Arlington National
Cemetery, as well as at veterans cemeteries and memorials in every
State and overseas. In the program's 26 years, more than 4.5 million
wreaths have been placed in honor of those who have served our country.
The origin of Wreaths Across America is an inspiring example of that
generosity and gratitude. During the Christmas season in 1992, Morrill
and Karen Worcester took time during their busiest season to donate and
deliver wreaths from their company in Harrington, ME, to Arlington
National Cemetery to honor the heroes who lie at rest there. At first,
a small group of volunteers laid the wreaths with little notice. In
recent years, however, the Arlington Wreath Project has grown to become
a national phenomenon. The people of Maine are proud that this
important and well-deserved tradition began in our State.
This year, on December 16, thousands of volunteers in Arlington,
throughout our Nation, and overseas will carry out the mission of
Wreaths Across America to ``Remember, Honor, Teach.'' This will
conclude a weeklong procession between Maine and Virginia, with stops
along the way to pause and remember the men and women who have died to
preserve our freedoms, spread the message about the importance of
honoring those who serve, and remind the people of the United States
about the sacrifices made by our veterans and their families. This
procession helps to ensure that those sacrifices are never forgotten.
The Patriot Guard Riders, along with other dedicated escort groups,
will accompany tractor-trailers filled with donated wreaths from Maine
to Arlington National Cemetery. America's trucking industry has long
supported Wreaths Across America by providing drivers, equipment, fuel,
and related services to assist in the transportation of wreaths across
the country to more than 1,200 locations.
Wreaths Across America not only honors our departed heroes but also
imparts the important message to veterans who are still with us that we
honor their service. It tells our men and women in uniform today that
we are grateful for their courage and devotion to duty. It tells the
families of those serving our country that they are in our thoughts and
prayers. And it tells the families of the fallen that we share their
grief.
Throughout human history, the evergreen wreath has been offered as a
tribute to heroes. On December 16, 2017, we will again offer this
enduring symbol of valor and sacrifice as part of our never-ending
obligation to thank those who wore the uniform of our country. In this
season of giving, we will pay tribute to those who have given us the
most precious gift of all--our freedom.
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