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

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
 1   Designating December 13, 2025, as "Wreaths Across America Day"
 2      in Pennsylvania.
 3      WHEREAS, Having been inspired by a trip to Arlington National
 4   Cemetery in his youth, Morrill Worcester donated 5,000 surplus
 5   wreaths from his Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine,
 6   to a sparsely visited section of Arlington National Cemetery in
 7   December 1992; and
 8      WHEREAS, In a community effort, volunteers from the American
 9   Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts and the local
10   community tied red bows onto each wreath, and the local trucking
11   company, Blue Bird Ranch, Inc., transported the wreaths to
12   Virginia; and
13      WHEREAS, This initiative became a tradition that continued
14   for more than 10 years when, in 2005, photos of the wreaths
15   circulated and gained national attention, leading to thousands
16   of inquiries to purchase and lay wreaths at Arlington National
 1   Cemetery and thousands more hoping to emulate the wreath-laying
 2   at local sites; and
 3      WHEREAS, Worcester began sending seven wreaths to each state,
 4   one for each branch of the military and an additional wreath to
 5   honor prisoners of war and those missing in action; and
 6      WHEREAS, With the help of the Civil Air Patrol and other
 7   civic organizations, simultaneous wreath-laying ceremonies were
 8   held at more than 150 locations in December 2006; and
 9      WHEREAS, The Patriot Guard Riders volunteered to escort the
10   convoy of wreaths south along the East Coast to Arlington
11   National Cemetery, now an annual tradition; and
12      WHEREAS, The Worcester family and countless volunteers formed
13   Wreaths Across America, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, in 2007 with the
14   mission to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach
15   the next generation the value of freedom; and
16      WHEREAS, During the December 2014 holiday season, Wreaths
17   Across America met its goal to place wreaths at all 226,525
18   graves at Arlington National Cemetery; and
19      WHEREAS, A veteran's wreath consists of 10 balsam bouquets,
20   representing 10 special qualities that veterans embody,
21   including:
22          (1)   a belief in a greater good;
23          (2)   love for one another;
24          (3)   strength, work ethic and character;
25          (4)   honesty and integrity;
26          (5)   humility, selflessness and modesty;
27          (6)   ambitions and aspirations;
28          (7)   optimism for America;
29          (8)   concern for the future;
30          (9)   pride in duty; and

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 1             (10)   hopes and dreams that did not always come true but
 2         left them with no regrets;
 3   and
 4         WHEREAS, The evergreen branches of a veteran's wreath
 5   symbolize longevity and endurance, and its forest scent
 6   represents purity and simplicity; and
 7         WHEREAS, The wreath's circular shape symbolizes eternity, and
 8   the red bow symbolizes great sacrifice; and
 9         WHEREAS, More than 2 million volunteers are expected to
10   participate at more than 5,200 locations across the United
11   States and abroad; and
12         WHEREAS, The theme for Wreaths Across America Day 2025 is
13   "Keep Moving Forward," inspired by the last words of Capt.
14   Joshua Byers, United States Army, who was killed in action in
15   Iraq in 2003; therefore be it
16         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate
17   December 13, 2025, as "Wreaths Across America Day" in
18   Pennsylvania; and be it further
19         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives encourage the
20   residents of this Commonwealth to remember, honor and teach the
21   stories of the brave individuals who wore the uniform to protect
22   and defend the United States of America.




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