Portland-area residents will once again pay their respects to the nation's veterans as the Wreaths Across America convoy makes its way through the city limits Sunday.![12-7-wreaths]()
Wreaths Across America will be making at stop, once again, at Cheverus High School at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. The convoy will start in Harrison at the Worcester Wreath Company on its 21st trip to Arlington on Sunday. The convoy will arrive at the national cemetery on Dec. 15.
Behind the Portland stop of the Wreaths Across America convoy are two Portland Police Officers: Lt. Janine Roberts and Officer Kevin Haley.
"It's just to show respect for our veterans," said Officer Kevin Haley, of the Portland Police Department..
Haley said people should plan to arrive by 3:30 p.m. because the streets around Cheverus will be closed off before the convoy arrives.
Once the convoy arrives in Portland, Haley said, there will be a short ceremony with remarks from local veterans, Maine First Lady Ann LePage, the presentation of the colors, the folding of a flag and the Don Campbell Band will perform throughout the afternoon.
During the Cheverus ceremony, Father William Campbell will bless the wreaths, according to Haley, and one of those will ultimately be laid at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The convoy will stop for the night at Cabellas, in Scarborough, after the ceremony at Cheverus, according to Roberts, and make a stop at the Westbrook Middle School before continuing on its journey.
Haley, who coaches swimming and diving at Cheverus and is active in the alumni association, said the enthusiasm for the event has spread through the schools, the students, the families and members of the community. He said it's an amazing outpouring of support and respect the nation's veterans.
"It's very contagious," he said. "It just grows and grows and grows."
Roberts said the Maine State Police will escort the convoy through Maine and departments from Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough, Westbrook, the Department of Corrections, the Marine Patrol and a group of other agencies from northern Maine. She said most of the officers participating in the convoy are members of the Maine Police Emerald Society.
Once the convoy arrives at Arlington, Roberts said the Worcesters are ready to work with the staff at the cemetery to debrief the thousands of volunteers who come to help with the laying of wreaths. She said there area special presentations at sites like President Kennedy's grave, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the USS Maine, the graves of Robert, Ted and Jackie Kennedy and several other locations.
More than 10,000 volunteers are expected to participate in the laying of the wreaths in Arlington.
When the Portland contingent arrives in Arlington, they will have a busy day ahead of them.
Roberts was selected to lay the wreath a President Kennedy's grave at 11 a.m. on Dec. 15.
From there, the delegation will proceed to the USS Maine memorial and then to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Haley said the Portland delegation will be in charge of the amphitheater at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
"What Karen and Morrill have started is just unbelievable," he said.
Haley said Wreaths Across America started in 1992 when Morrill and Karen Worcester — who own the Worcester Wreath Company in Harrison — were trying to figure out what to do with the spare boughs and materials from their tree farm. He said they decided that it'd be worthwhile to make wreaths to lay on veterans' graves.
"It continues to grow," Roberts said.
The Worcesters now work year-round to get get ready for the Wreaths Across America events, according to Roberts, especially since it's now expanded to more veterans cemeteries than just Arlington. Roberts said there are a number of veterans cemeteries throughout the country and around the world were wreaths are laid during the holiday season.
The Worcesters now coordinate the production and delivery of more than 20,000 wreaths to Arlington and 400 other cemeteries.
Roberts said she got involved with Wreaths Across America six years ago through the Maine Police Emerald Society. She said the event had previously been hosted at the Portland Expo but when the Red Claws came to town, they needed to find a new venue.
As the Portland organizers searched for a new venue, Haley got involved with Wreaths Across America and through is connections at Cheverus High School, he helped get the school signed on to host the convoy.
The Worcesters aren't the only minds behind Wreaths Across America, according to Haley, and John and Bunny O'Leary and a group of other volunteers work closely with the Worcesters to coordinate the details of the convoy the stops that will be made en route to Arlington.
"It's a major effort and they do it all for free," he said.
Haley said there are so many people who give up seven days to escort the convoy and lay the wreaths each year.
"It's just been an absolute great thing for our nation," he said.
More information about Wreaths Across America is available online at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.
Wreaths Across America will be making at stop, once again, at Cheverus High School at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. The convoy will start in Harrison at the Worcester Wreath Company on its 21st trip to Arlington on Sunday. The convoy will arrive at the national cemetery on Dec. 15.
Behind the Portland stop of the Wreaths Across America convoy are two Portland Police Officers: Lt. Janine Roberts and Officer Kevin Haley.
"It's just to show respect for our veterans," said Officer Kevin Haley, of the Portland Police Department..
Haley said people should plan to arrive by 3:30 p.m. because the streets around Cheverus will be closed off before the convoy arrives.
Once the convoy arrives in Portland, Haley said, there will be a short ceremony with remarks from local veterans, Maine First Lady Ann LePage, the presentation of the colors, the folding of a flag and the Don Campbell Band will perform throughout the afternoon.
During the Cheverus ceremony, Father William Campbell will bless the wreaths, according to Haley, and one of those will ultimately be laid at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The convoy will stop for the night at Cabellas, in Scarborough, after the ceremony at Cheverus, according to Roberts, and make a stop at the Westbrook Middle School before continuing on its journey.
Haley, who coaches swimming and diving at Cheverus and is active in the alumni association, said the enthusiasm for the event has spread through the schools, the students, the families and members of the community. He said it's an amazing outpouring of support and respect the nation's veterans.
"It's very contagious," he said. "It just grows and grows and grows."
Roberts said the Maine State Police will escort the convoy through Maine and departments from Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough, Westbrook, the Department of Corrections, the Marine Patrol and a group of other agencies from northern Maine. She said most of the officers participating in the convoy are members of the Maine Police Emerald Society.
Once the convoy arrives at Arlington, Roberts said the Worcesters are ready to work with the staff at the cemetery to debrief the thousands of volunteers who come to help with the laying of wreaths. She said there area special presentations at sites like President Kennedy's grave, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the USS Maine, the graves of Robert, Ted and Jackie Kennedy and several other locations.
More than 10,000 volunteers are expected to participate in the laying of the wreaths in Arlington.
When the Portland contingent arrives in Arlington, they will have a busy day ahead of them.
Roberts was selected to lay the wreath a President Kennedy's grave at 11 a.m. on Dec. 15.
From there, the delegation will proceed to the USS Maine memorial and then to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Haley said the Portland delegation will be in charge of the amphitheater at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
"What Karen and Morrill have started is just unbelievable," he said.
Haley said Wreaths Across America started in 1992 when Morrill and Karen Worcester — who own the Worcester Wreath Company in Harrison — were trying to figure out what to do with the spare boughs and materials from their tree farm. He said they decided that it'd be worthwhile to make wreaths to lay on veterans' graves.
"It continues to grow," Roberts said.
The Worcesters now work year-round to get get ready for the Wreaths Across America events, according to Roberts, especially since it's now expanded to more veterans cemeteries than just Arlington. Roberts said there are a number of veterans cemeteries throughout the country and around the world were wreaths are laid during the holiday season.
The Worcesters now coordinate the production and delivery of more than 20,000 wreaths to Arlington and 400 other cemeteries.
Roberts said she got involved with Wreaths Across America six years ago through the Maine Police Emerald Society. She said the event had previously been hosted at the Portland Expo but when the Red Claws came to town, they needed to find a new venue.
As the Portland organizers searched for a new venue, Haley got involved with Wreaths Across America and through is connections at Cheverus High School, he helped get the school signed on to host the convoy.
The Worcesters aren't the only minds behind Wreaths Across America, according to Haley, and John and Bunny O'Leary and a group of other volunteers work closely with the Worcesters to coordinate the details of the convoy the stops that will be made en route to Arlington.
"It's a major effort and they do it all for free," he said.
Haley said there are so many people who give up seven days to escort the convoy and lay the wreaths each year.
"It's just been an absolute great thing for our nation," he said.
More information about Wreaths Across America is available online at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.