Pennsylvania HR 369: A Resolution designating December 13, 2025, as "Wreaths Across America Day" in Pennsylvania.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2588
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 369
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY HADDOCK, HARKINS, CONKLIN, GUENST, PROBST, KRUPA,
SANCHEZ, HILL-EVANS, McNEILL, BRENNAN, BOROWSKI, COOK,
SCHLOSSBERG, NEILSON, MENTZER, GILLEN, GALLAGHER, ANDERSON,
SCHWEYER, MARCELL, HOHENSTEIN, GREINER, FREEMAN, VITALI,
PUGH, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ AND COOPER, NOVEMBER 10, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS, NOVEMBER 12, 2025
A RESOLUTION
Designating December 13, 2025, as "Wreaths Across America Day"
in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Having been inspired by a trip to Arlington National
Cemetery in his youth, Morrill Worcester donated 5,000 surplus
wreaths from his Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine,
to a sparsely visited section of Arlington National Cemetery in
December 1992; and
WHEREAS, In a community effort, volunteers from the American
Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts and the local
community tied red bows onto each wreath, and the local trucking
company, Blue Bird Ranch, Inc., transported the wreaths to
Virginia; and
WHEREAS, This initiative became a tradition that continued
for more than 10 years when, in 2005, photos of the wreaths
circulated and gained national attention, leading to thousands
of inquiries to purchase and lay wreaths at Arlington National
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Cemetery and thousands more hoping to emulate the wreath-laying
at local sites; and
WHEREAS, Worcester began sending seven wreaths to each state,
one for each branch of the military and an additional wreath to
honor prisoners of war and those missing in action; and
WHEREAS, With the help of the Civil Air Patrol and other
civic organizations, simultaneous wreath-laying ceremonies were
held at more than 150 locations in December 2006; and
WHEREAS, The Patriot Guard Riders volunteered to escort the
convoy of wreaths south along the East Coast to Arlington
National Cemetery, now an annual tradition; and
WHEREAS, The Worcester family and countless volunteers formed
Wreaths Across America, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, in 2007 with the
mission to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach
the next generation the value of freedom; and
WHEREAS, During the December 2014 holiday season, Wreaths
Across America met its goal to place wreaths at all 226,525
graves at Arlington National Cemetery; and
WHEREAS, A veteran's wreath consists of 10 balsam bouquets,
representing 10 special qualities that veterans embody,
including:
(1) a belief in a greater good;
(2) love for one another;
(3) strength, work ethic and character;
(4) honesty and integrity;
(5) humility, selflessness and modesty;
(6) ambitions and aspirations;
(7) optimism for America;
(8) concern for the future;
(9) pride in duty; and
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(10) hopes and dreams that did not always come true but
left them with no regrets;
and
WHEREAS, The evergreen branches of a veteran's wreath
symbolize longevity and endurance, and its forest scent
represents purity and simplicity; and
WHEREAS, The wreath's circular shape symbolizes eternity, and
the red bow symbolizes great sacrifice; and
WHEREAS, More than 2 million volunteers are expected to
participate at more than 5,200 locations across the United
States and abroad; and
WHEREAS, The theme for Wreaths Across America Day 2025 is
"Keep Moving Forward," inspired by the last words of Capt.
Joshua Byers, United States Army, who was killed in action in
Iraq in 2003; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate
December 13, 2025, as "Wreaths Across America Day" in
Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives encourage the
residents of this Commonwealth to remember, honor and teach the
stories of the brave individuals who wore the uniform to protect
and defend the United States of America.
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