Wreaths Across America (WAA), founded officially in 2007, wasn’t originally the national size it is today.
The non-profit organization known for placing wreaths on the graves of veterans in remembrance of their sacrifices and efforts for America began as a wreath company called Worcester Wreath Company (WWC) in Harrington, Maine.
Eventually, after having a surplus of wreaths nearing the end of one winter season, Morrill Worcester, owner of the WWC, came up with the idea to use the extra wreaths to honor the graves at Arlington in Washington, D.C.
With the combined efforts of Maine Senator Olympia Snow, James Prout, owner of a trucking company named Blue Bird Ranch Inc., volunteers from the American Legion and VFW, and members of the Maine State Society of Washington, D.C, tons of wreaths were laid on the veteran graves, including one for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Before long, this quietly became an annual event till it was publicly recognized, leading thousands of people to send money to donate wreaths to the Arlington Cemetery as well as other cemeteries around the states. And the year after being officially founded, WAA went national and overseas, with hundreds of thousands going across countries.
That reach extends to Pensacola as well, where local volunteers work each year to ensure the city’s veterans are remembered.
Q & A with the founding father Morrill Worcester’s nephew, Buster Hartford
Q.) What does the WAA Pensacola do here compared to what WAA does nationally?
A.) Pensacola is the only location that holds a full ceremony out of 5,500 locations worldwide wide and it is a year-round operation.
Q.) What’s it like to help run the WAA Pensacola?
A.) It’s an honor to participate in honoring veterans and their families while also teaching the children the value of freedom.
Q.) How did you personally get involved with WAA here in Pensacola?
A.) I got into WAA due to being related to a founding family member, the founder being my uncle.
Q.) When did you first get involved?
A.) I got involved 18 years ago when WAA began, when there were only 7, yes 7, wreaths placed. But the very next year, we placed 500 wreaths, and it has continued going up and up.
Q.) Whoa, that’s a big jump! How is the tally now?
A.) Now we are approaching 30 thousand this year, in great credit to Russell ‘Frenchy’ Gautreaux, your grandfather.
Q.) I’ve heard there was symbolism behind the wreaths themselves. Can you tell me more about them?
A.) The main symbolism of the wreaths is our motto: Honor to honor veterans, Remembrance to remember our veterans, and Teach to teach younger and future generations the importance of freedom. The more specific aspects are the round shape that represents Eternity, the evergreen branches for Longevity and Endurance, and the big red bow for Great Sacrifice. While the 10 bouquets of evergreen on the wreath represent belief in the greater good, their love for each other, their strength, their honesty, their humility, their ambition, optimism for America, concern for the future, their pride, and their hopes and dreams that went with them.
Q.) And finally, what is one thing most people don’t know about WAA that you would like them to know?
A.) The things folks need to know are that we rely on donations to operate and that wreaths are sponsored.