The Spirit of the Season
The Spirit of the Season
Weekly Column
by Senator Susan M. Collins
The holidays bring with them many wonderful traditions, and at this is a time of year, we take comfort in honoring old ones and starting new ones. One tradition that truly exemplifies the caring and generous spirit of the season involves a partnership with the Maine State Society in Washington, D.C. and two generous businesses in Maine. This year marks the 14th year that the Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington and the Blue Bird Ranch Trucking Company of Jonesboro have worked with the Maine State Society to honor our nation's veterans during the holiday season.
Fifty-five states and territories have societies here in the Washington area. Maine's is one of the oldest, largest, and most active, which is no surprise given the special character of the people of our state. Mainers have contributed generously to the history of our country, from Joshua Chamberlain's heroism at Gettysburg to Senator Margaret Chase Smith's brave condemnation of Joseph McCarthy nearly a century later. The State of Maine Society is helping to continue that tradition of service and dedication to others.
Each year, volunteers from the Maine State Society and other organizations lay wreaths at the grave sites of our nation's fallen soldiers and veterans in honor of their service and sacrifices, and to commemorate the special holiday season. The thousands of beautiful Maine balsam fir wreaths, each emblazed with a bright red ribbon, are made by expert Maine wreath-makers and donated by the Worcester Wreath Company. Volunteers from the Blue Bird Trucking Company transport all the wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C.
While many of these veterans may rest far from their homes and families, they are honored each Christmas by these generous acts of our fellow Mainers. In addition, the many visitors to the cemetery see the beautiful wreath decorations and know that these men and women have not been forgotten.
This week, members of my Washington, D.C. staff will join approximately 100 other volunteers from local VFW and American Legion Posts and military units and spend a morning placing 4,500 wreaths from Worcester Wreath Company at the grave sites of military personnel buried at Arlington. Wreaths will also be placed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, at the grave site of former President John F. Kennedy, at the U.S.S. Maine Memorial, at the grave site of former Maine Governor, U.S. Senator, and Secretary of State Edmund S. Muskie, and at the grave sites of those honored military personnel who have died fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. This will also be a very special day for a group of school children from Maine who will also lay wreaths in the cemetery. For the third year in a row, teacher Larry Ross will accompany a group of students from the Margaret Chase Smith School in Skowhegan to Arlington. While at the cemetery, the students will remember a U.S. Marine from their town. Major Jay Aubin was killed on the very first day of the Iraq War.
What began as a single act of kindness and holiday goodwill has grown to become an annual expression of our appreciation and gratitude toward our veterans. The Worcester Wreath Company, Blue Bird Ranch Trucking Company, and the Maine State Society deserve our thanks and recognition for creating and continuing such a meaningful annual tradition. We also should recognize the volunteers who show the spirit of the season by honoring the memory of members of our military. Indeed, these people make it possible for us to bring a piece of Maine to the nation's capital each year as a token of our thanks.
The generosity and spirit displayed by those involved with the wreath laying tradition are to be commended, as well as emulated. We can all be inspired by those who give of themselves to make someone else's life a little better.
The holiday season is a special time to come together with family and friends to celebrate and be thankful for all that we have in our lives. It is also a time to think of those who are not as fortunate, and to give to others so they can enjoy the holidays as well. Indeed, it seems that the spirit of the season moves people to perform acts of remarkable generosity whether it be of time, money, or love and those actions have a lasting effect on not only those who receive, but also those who give.
http://collins.senate.gov/high/crecord.cfm?id=249694