Arpin Van Lines’ drivers and agents from locations across the Northeast, Midwest and South of the USA, volunteered to collect and deliver remembrance wreaths to be laid at veteran cemeteries on National Wreaths Across America Day on 16 December, 2017.
“We are honoured to be participating in Wreaths Across America for our fifth year,” said Anthony Uriati, Vice President of Operations for Arpin Van Lines. “Each year our participation has grown, starting with one driver in 2013 to now 26 across the country, who deliver wreaths to veteran cemeteries in their areas. Wreaths Across America Day has become cemented as a valued tradition among our drivers who use this occasion to pay their respects to our fallen heroes.”
Each Arpin trailer carried 600 boxes containing 5,400 wreaths. Combined, the 26 Arpin drivers and agents delivered 140,400 wreaths to veteran cemeteries across the United States for remembrance ceremonies. Two Arpin drivers carried 10,800 wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
Wreaths Across America is a national non-profit organisation, founded in 2007, to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery started by Maine businessman, Morrill Worcester, in 1992. The organisation coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at more than 800 cemeteries and military memorials in all 50 states. In 2008, and each year since, Congress has issued a proclamation officially recognising Wreaths Across America Day each December.
Photo: An Arpin truck containing 5,400 wreaths arrives at a cemetery.