Cape Ann Wreaths Across America

In 1992, Morrill Worcester – owner of Worcester Wreath Co. of Harington, Maine –  found himself with a surplus of Christmas wreaths and decided the perfect solution was to bring them to Arlington National Cemetery in order to honor our veterans during the holiday season. Since that time, Wreaths Across America has grown into a national movement, each December covering close to a million veteran’s graves throughout the United States. Cities and towns across the country raise funds in order to purchase Christmas wreaths to decorate the graves of the veterans who are buried in their community.

For the third year in a row, Cape Ann will honor its veterans by placing Christmas wreaths on their graves. The effort has expanded for this year, and, in coordination with Gloucester and Rockport’s veterans’ representatives, and Adam Curcuru, Cape Ann Veterans’ Coordinator, this year 400 wreaths will be placed on veterans’ graves in Gloucester and Rockport. Last year(2017), 345 wreaths were placed, and the first year, (2016), 300 wreaths.

American flags will be placed on the graves of Jewish veterans.

“It is a testament to the strength and energy of our Cape Ann community that this effort has grown each year,” states Amanda Orlando Kesterson, chairwoman of Cape Ann Wreaths Across America. “I am continually amazed by the generosity of so many in our communities.”

Cape Ann Veterans Coordinator Adam Curcuru concurs, “This is a program which I’ve long wanted to bring to Cape Ann, and it’s a great feeling to see so many come together and volunteer at Christmas time to honor our veterans.”

Cape Ann Wreaths Across America is looking for volunteers to help place the wreaths on Saturday, December 15, 2018. Volunteers should gather at Gloucester’s Capt. Lester S. Wass American Legion Post 3 to check in with Amanda Kesterson as to where to place the wreaths. There will then be a short ceremony at noon at the Legion hall(indoors), and then volunteers will head out to assigned cemeteries to place wreaths. The volunteers will be covering the entire veterans plots at Beechbrook in West Gloucester, and Beech Grove in Rockport, and then placing one wreath at each Gloucester cemetery either by the flag pole or by the sign indicating the cemetery’s name.

If you are able to financially support this effort, please send a donation made payable to Wreaths Across America, PO Box 463, Gloucester, MA 01931.

Please also follow Cape Ann Wreaths Across America on Facebook, where updates and information will be posted.