National Wreaths Across America Day is not only a holiday but also a movement. A movement that’s designed to remember America’s fallen soldiers by covering veterans’ grave markers with a Christmas wreath on a Saturday in mid-December every year. It’s a day that honors all those veterans who serve.

The History Of National Wreaths Across America Day

National Wreaths Across America Day started before 2005 when Morrill Worcester, using his business Worcester Wreath Company of Harrington, Maine, decided to donate his surplus wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery.

He chose to lay wreaths in one section of the cemetery that received less attention than other parts. When word of his idea spread, volunteers helped to deliver and place the wreaths on graves. Then in 2005, a picture featuring some of those wreaths went viral.

Soon, donations began to come in to support the donation of wreaths. In 2007, Wreaths Across America was recognized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization. Since that time, they have continued their mission to place wreaths on the graves of all veterans.

A Brief History Of Wreaths

Wreaths have been used since ancient times as a decoration on people’s heads and as a symbol of occupation, status, rank, or achievements. Wreaths were also used to commemorate the memory of those who have died. According to Greek mythology, Apollo wove a wreath from the branches of an olive tree and wore it to commemorate the memory of the one he lost.

Another way that wreaths were used by the ancient Greeks was as harvest wreaths. Harvest wreaths were hung on the doors of homes to bring good luck with the yearly harvest. And the Greeks weren’t the only ones who used harvest wreaths.

This tradition was prevalent throughout Europe. Eventually, the classic wreath evolved into its more modern use during the 16th century. This is when Christians used the wreaths as part of their Advent Season ceremonies.

These wreaths symbolized eternal life through Jesus Christ and typically featured a candle in the middle of them. Since the evergreen wreaths of the Advent Season symbolized eternal life, they began to be used for all funeral arrangements.

And that is why funeral wreaths are still placed on graves to this day. Funeral wreaths are sold all over the world to be placed on the graves of our loved ones and those who have served their country.

Observing National Wreaths Across America Day

National Wreaths Across America Day can be observed by volunteering to lay a wreath on a veteran’s grave, sponsoring a veteran’s wreath at a cemetery of your choice, or donating to a local sponsorship organization. You can also spread the word about this holiday by posting with the hashtags #NationalWreathsAcrossAmericaDay or #WreathsAcrossAmerica on your social media accounts.