#085: Wreaths Across America - Executive Director Karen Worcester

Freedom isn’t free. This December 17th thousands of volunteers across all 50 states will lay over 2.65 million wreaths on the graves of our fallen soldiers. Remember. Honor. Teach. That's the mission of Wreaths Across America. It's a tradition that started in 1992 when Morrill Worcester looked for a meaningful way to distribute a few hundred excess holiday wreaths. Today convoys of wreaths leave northern Maine for a trek across the country to over 3600 cemeteries.  

Wreaths Across America's Executive Director Karen Worcester joins Fran Racioppi for a conversation on how a 2005 snow covered picture from a forgotten part of Arlington National Cemetery changed their lives. She shares the "stem to stone" process and why our generation must remember our fallen, honor those serving, and most importantly teach our children the value of freedom. 

The Wreaths Across America convoy will make its way from Maine to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC this week. Go to wreathsacrossamerica.org to see the route, get involved and meet the convoy along the way. 

Read the full episode transcription here and learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. 

Highlights:

-0:00 Welcome to The Jedburgh Podcast

-4:10 Morrill Worcester’s childhood trip to Arlington National Cemetery

-6:54 The 2005 picture

-10:02 Stem-to-Stone for 2.65 million wreaths

-14:54 Remember, Honor, Teach

-23:46 Wreaths Across America Day 2022

-24:40 The museum, bed and breakfast 

-27:28 The characteristics of a wreath

-30:12 Karen’s three Foundations to Success

Quotes: 

-”You couldn’t lay a wreath without reading the name and wondering.”  (6:18)

-”The Worcester family didn’t have this major plan. We were doing something that mattered to us .” (8:34)

-”The North Pole…Santa’s workshop…got nothing on us.” (12:45)

-“We weren’t just given a gift of freedom. We were entrusted with freedom. We are responsible for freedom.” (16:37)

-”It’s life that they sacrificed so that we can be fat, dumb and happy.” (20:55)

-”Patriotism begins at home and spreads to community and spreads to country.” (32:38)

Karen’s Three Daily Foundations to Success:

-Pray

-Show gratitude

-Don’t sweat the small stuff 

This episode is brought to you by Jersey Mike’s, Compass Workforce Solutions, 18A Fitness, and Analytix Solutions