A Christmas-wreath company based in the northeastern United States has donated thousands of wreaths for the graves of service veterans across the United States.
The Worcester Wreath Company in the state of Maine this week expanded its tradition of donating 5,000 wreaths for soldiers' graves at Arlington National Cemetery, near Washington, D.C.
This year, it also sent several of the symbols of the holiday season to each of some 230 veterans' cemeteries across the United States. Identical wreath-laying ceremonies were performed at each cemetery on Thursday.
The company says the event is meant to remember soldiers who have fallen, honor those who serve, and teach children the value of freedom.
Company owner Morrill Worcester began the tradition 15 years ago, when he realized he had bought too many wreaths and wanted to do something meaningful with them.