For the Tomahawk Leader

HARSHAW – Northwoods National Cemetery in Harshaw was one site of more than 3,700 where wreaths were placed as part of Wreaths Across America Day on Dec. 17, 2022. 

A ceremony began the program, followed by the placement of wreaths. Girl Scouts, the American Legion Riders – District 11, Northwoods Honor Guard, military veterans and civilian volunteers worked together to “remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach children the value of freedom.”

The tradition of placing wreaths began in the early 1990s at Arlington Cemetery with Morrill and Karen Worcester, who own a wreath company in Maine. As is told on the Wreaths Across America website, the Worcesters had an abundance of wreaths one year and worked with their senator to place the excess wreaths in an older section of Arlington National Cemetery.

This became an annual tribute and carried on quietly for a number of years, until a photo of the wreaths at the cemetery went viral on the internet. This led to requests from across the country, and in 2007, the Worcesters founded the non-profit, Wreaths Across America.

Last year In the United States, at sea and abroad, more than 2.7 million wreaths were placed for the holiday season.

In Harshaw, according to the website, 260 wreaths were sponsored – exceeding the organization’s goal by 105 wreaths. Thanks to the sponsorship of the American Legion Riders – District 11, a wreath was placed on every veteran’s grave at Northwoods National Cemetery.