Volunteers lay 90K wreaths at Arlington cemetery

On Saturday December 10, 2011 "Wreaths Across America" volunteers will place 90,000 Christmas wreaths on the graves of our fallen war heroes at the Arlington Nation Cemetery. This annual event, originated by Morrill Worcester and his Worcester Wreath Company in 1992, has grown to become a week-long "Veteran's Parade" and events with convoys of 18 wheelers with volunteers delivering donated wreaths to U.S. veterans' cemeteries and memorials in all 50 states and around the world. This short slide show documents one of the ceremonial stops for the escorted convoy on its way to Arlington National Cemetery at the Topsfield Fairgrounds in Topsfield, MA on Monday December 5

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) -- Volunteers have laid tens of thousands of holiday wreaths at tombstones at Arlington National Cemetery.

Maine Gov. Paul LePage joined thousands of volunteers Saturday in placing the wreaths. A convoy of more than 20 trucks left Maine last Sunday, bound for the cemetery across from the nation's capital.

The tradition began 20 years ago with little fanfare. Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Co. in Harrington, Maine, and others laid 5,000 wreaths on headstones that first year to give thanks to the nation's veterans.

Since then, it has grown into an organization called Wreaths Across America with ceremonies across the country.

Organizers said 15,000 people joined the effort at Arlington. The wreaths will be on view until Jan. 28.