On Sept. 11, Wreaths Across America is calling for all American’s on a national level, to stand outside and wave a flag to remember the four major events of 9-11 and honor the 18-year effort of by Maine’s own Freeport Flag ladies.

Wreaths Across America calls for every American to stand outside and wave a flag for one minute at 8:46 a.m., 9:03 a.m., 9:37 a.m. and 10:03 a.m. to not only remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and the families that were affected, but to also honor the weekly effort for 18 years to remember, honor, and teach about the events of that day by Maine’s own Freeport Flag Ladies. In memory and in honor of these efforts and events Wreaths Across America will wave their flags from the Freeport Flag Ladies memorial which is located on U.S. Route 1 in Maine. In addition there will be flags lining U.S. Route 1 for one mile leading up to the entrance of our nation’s newest national cemetery, Acadia nation Cemetery which was built upon land gifted by Wreaths Across America and Worcester Wreath Company founder, Morrill Worcester.

“Wreaths Across America takes great pride in its mission to Remember, Honor, Teach, about our nation’s veterans and their families,” said Susan Patten, Program Manager for Wreaths Across America Radio. “It is with great honor that I am able to participate in so many projects that mean so much to people such as our 9-11 flag waving effort and Mr. Worchester’s land gift for Acadia National Cemetery.”

This past weekend Wreaths Across America’s Susan Patten served as the master of ceremonies for the dedication of Acadia National Cemetery in Jonesboro, ME. The 6.22-acres in Washington County was donated to the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2017 by Morrill Worcester, president of Worcester Holdings LLC, Worcester Wreath Company and Founder of the national nonprofit Wreaths Across America. 

“It was my honor to be able to gift this land,” said Morrill Worcester. “My hope is that this will not be a place where people come to visit their dead, but to learn what it is to truly be alive.  A place where generations will come to Remember the fallen, Honor their lives, and Teach future generations how to live life to the fullest. A place where people can come and reflect on their loved ones, their love of family, love of country, Love for their community neighbors, and love of life. A place where the past does not pass away.”

This new cemetery will join over 2,200 participating locations nationwide which take part each December in the National Wreaths Across America Day events and will include the placement of veterans’ wreaths, made of balsam fir harvested in Washington County, on the headstones of our nation’s heroes. This December 19^th, 2020 will be its first Wreaths Across America Day.

The name Acadia (although recognized by most people regionally as being associated with a national park) is the name of a people and not a land area. The people that this name represents were the Acadians who were of French-Canadian decent. As the British sought to permanently cut the supply lines to America and eliminate future military threats, the Acadians were forcibly removed from their lands in Canada to Northern Maine and parts of Louisiana (thus Cajuns). This was called the Great Expulsion and took place between 1755–1764 during the Seven Years' War. A census in 1764 indicates that only 2,600 Acadians remained after fighting the British and eluding capture. In essence, the Acadians became the first people to fight and sacrifice for this land which became known as the United States of America and before there was even a flag to defend.

American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow memorialized the expulsion in the popular poem, Evangeline, about the plight of a fictional character, which spread awareness of the expulsion.

This National 9 -11 Flag Waving event is open to the public with social distancing in place to protect the health of all visitors in accordance with the CDC’s recommendation for large gatherings stemming from concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. 
 

Wreaths Across America is the non-profit organization best known for placing veterans’ wreaths on the headstones of our nation’s fallen at Arlington National Cemetery. However, the organization, in total, places more than 2.2 million sponsored wreaths at over 2200 participating locations nationwide and offers other programs throughout the calendar year. These programs include The Mobile Education Exhibit , Wreaths Across America Radio, and the Wreaths Across America Virtual Concert now streaming on Showcase NOW).

You can sponsor a wreath for $15 at https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/. Each sponsorship goes toward a fresh balsam veteran’s wreath that will be placed on the headstone of an American hero as we endeavor to honor all veterans laid to rest on Saturday, Dec. 19, as part of National Wreaths Across America Day. 
 

To find a cemetery near you to support click here.