[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 195 (Tuesday, December 11, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7435-S7436]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
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SENATE RESOLUTION 719--DESIGNATING DECEMBER 15, 2018, AS ``WREATHS
ACROSS AMERICA DAY''
Ms. COLLINS (for herself and Mr. King) submitted the following
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
S. Res. 719
Whereas, in 1992, the Wreaths Across America project began
an annual tradition of donating and transporting Maine balsam
fir veterans' wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery each
December and placing those wreaths on the graves of the
fallen heroes buried at Arlington National Cemetery;
Whereas 5,000 donated veterans' wreaths were transported
from Maine to Arlington National Cemetery during the first
year of the Wreaths Across America project and placed on the
graves of the fallen heroes buried at Arlington National
Cemetery;
Whereas, during the 27 years preceding the date of adoption
of this resolution, more than 6,082,300 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;
(2) veterans cemeteries; and
(3) other memorial locations;
Whereas the Wreaths Across America project carries out a
week-long veterans parade between the State of Maine and the
Commonwealth of 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) teaching the next generation of children about--
(A) the service of veterans; and
(B) the sacrifices made by veterans and the families of
veterans to preserve the freedoms enjoyed by the people of
the United States;
Whereas, in 2017, approximately 1,565,300 veterans' wreaths
were delivered to more than 1,422 locations across the United
States and overseas, an increase of more than 200 locations
compared to the previous year;
Whereas, in December 2018, the tradition of escorting
tractor-trailers filled with donated wreaths from 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 veterans' wreaths;
Whereas, in 2018, the trucking industry in the United
States will continue to support the Wreaths Across America
project by providing drivers, equipment, and related services
to assist in the transportation of wreaths across the United
States to more than 1,500 locations;
Whereas the Senate designated December 16, 2017, as
``Wreaths Across America Day''; and
Whereas, on December 15, 2018, the Wreaths Across America
project will continue the proud legacy of bringing veterans'
wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery: Now, therefore, be it
[[Page S7436]]
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates December 15, 2018, 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, members of the Armed
Forces, and the families of 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
15, 2018, as Wreaths Across America Day. Throughout human history, the
evergreen wreath has been offered as a tribute to heroes. On December
15, we gather to offer this enduring symbol of valor and sacrifice to
America's heroes. In this season of giving, we pay tribute to those who
have given us the most precious gift of all, our freedom.
Some who secured that gift did not return home. Some did return but
have since passed on. Some remain missing but will never be forgotten.
Many still live in honor among us.
We here at home must always respect their service. Often, we do this
on those special days we set aside each year--Memorial Day, the Fourth
of July, and Veterans Day. Sometimes, we do this spontaneously because
our hearts, rather than our calendars, tell us to. That is the origin
of Wreaths Across America.
Twenty-six Christmases ago, Morrill and Karen Worcester took time
during their busiest season to donate and deliver 5,000 wreaths from
their company in Harrington, Maine, to Arlington National Cemetery to
mark the graves of fallen heroes. The people of Maine are proud that
this heartfelt expression of America's gratitude began in our State,
and I congratulate Karen and Morrill for being awarded the
Congressional Medal of Honor Society's Patriot Award this April, the
highest award the Society can bestow to civilians.
In the years since, that heartfelt gesture became a national
phenomenon and an American tradition. More than six million wreaths
have been laid by tens of thousands of volunteers at more than 600
cemeteries, here and abroad, and even on ships at sea. This remarkable
effort is made possible by trucking companies across the Nation who
donate their services and by the generosity of thousands of volunteers
and supporters. With the Patriot Guard escort, the convoy from Maine to
Washington is greeted at every stop along the way by grateful citizens
of all ages. On December 15--after months of hard work, careful
planning, and generous donations--wreaths will be laid where American
heroes lie at rest.
This year, for the first time, more than 9,300 Maine-made balsam
wreaths will mark the headstones of all American service members laid
to rest at the Normandy American Cemetery in France. It has been nearly
75 years since our brave troops stormed those beaches to liberate
Europe but they will never be forgotten.
Wreaths Across America honors our departed heroes, but it does even
more. It tells our veterans 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.
The mission of Wreaths Across America is: Remember, Honor, Teach.
Thanks to the spirit of this Maine-made tradition, we remember and
honor America's veterans, while also teaching the generations to come
of the sacrifices that have been made to secure a future of peace and
liberty. May God bless these heroes, and may God bless America.
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