Honor Role plans trip to Arlington for Wreaths Across America Day

PLATTSBURGH | Mission Honor Role is closing in on its goal to place 100 Christmas wreaths on grave sites at Arlington National Cemetery as part of Wreaths Across America Day. With 22 wreaths to go, the organization led by J. Burl will travel to the national cemetery on Dec. 13 with the adage: "It's Our Role to Honor." North Country Honor Role was organized by active and retired law enforcement and veterans, "with a passion to honor others who serve," Burl said in their Wreaths Across America appeal. Members of the group have taken part in Wreaths Across America for the past several years. "The group will proudly make the trip while carrying the support from all who offer to show how great the North Country is. Please help us honor and remember as many fallen heroes as possible by sponsoring a remembrance wreath for us to place or inviting your family and friends to support. It's our Role to Honor." Wreaths Across America began as a simple tribute in 1992 by Morrill Worcester, owner of the Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine. With permissions gained through Maine's senator, he placed wreaths on an area of older graves at Arlington National Cemetery. The quiet project continued unseen until 2005 when photos of holiday wreaths against Arlington Cemetery's white tombstones gained national attention. The Worcester family founded a non-profit organization in 2007 with support from veterans groups as interest spread across the country. In 2008, Congress named Dec. 13 Wreaths Across America Day. The annual trip from Maine to Arlington, Virginia is sometimes called the "world's largest veterans' parade." Wreaths Across America tallied over three million sponsored veterans' wreaths placed on headstones at 4,909 participating locations last year. "More than four million volunteers helped place wreaths, a third of whom were children," the organization said of 2024. "This was accomplished with the support of more than 7,400 sponsorship groups, corporate contributions, and in-kind donations from the transportation industry across the country." Efforts are coordinated locally by volunteer organizations. And wreath laying ceremonies are conducted at state capitols each year. Many volunteer groups, including North Country Honor Role, travel to Arlington to take part. "When a volunteer places a wreath on a veteran's grave on National Wreaths Across America Day, we encourage them to speak that veteran's name aloud, thank them for their service and sacrifice, and reflect on that person and their life," the organization said of their mission, whose goal is to "Remember. Honor. Teach." In founding North Country Honor Role in 2023, Burl said their group of veterans, active and retired law enforcement, and first responders have "committed to this honor and joined the efforts to travel to Arlington. The NCHR is grateful for the outreach of North Country residents, interest in joining the efforts, and donation offers." To sponsor a wreath for North Country Honor Role, organization number NY0486, visit the Wreaths Across America website: wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/179293/Overview

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Honor Role plans trip to Arlington for Wreaths Across America Day

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