III 

115TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 353 

Designating December 16, 2017, as ‘‘Wreaths Across America Day’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

DECEMBER 7, 2017 

Ms. COLLINS (for herself and Mr. KING) submitted the following resolution; 

which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Designating December 16, 2017, as ‘‘Wreaths Across 

America Day’’. 

Whereas, 26 years before the date of adoption of this resolution, the Wreaths Across America project began with an 

annual tradition, which occurs in December, of donating, 

transporting, and placing 5,000 Maine balsam fir remembrance wreaths on the graves of the fallen heroes buried 

at Arlington National Cemetery; 

Whereas, during the 26 years preceding the date of adoption 

of this resolution, more than 4,517,000 wreaths have 

been sent to locations, including national cemeteries and 

veterans memorials, in every State and overseas; 

Whereas the mission of the Wreaths Across America project, 

to ‘‘Remember, Honor, Teach’’, is carried out in part by 


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•SRES 353 ATS 

coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in all 50 States 

and overseas, including at— 

(1) Arlington National Cemetery; 

(2) veterans cemeteries; and 

(3) other locations; 

Whereas the Wreaths Across America project carries out a 

week-long veterans parade from Maine to Virginia, stopping along the way to spread a message about the importance of— 

(1) remembering the fallen heroes of the United 

States; 

(2) honoring those who serve; and 

(3) reminding the people of the United States about 

the sacrifices made by veterans and the families of veterans to preserve freedoms in the United States; 

Whereas, in 2016, approximately 1,200,000 remembrance 

wreaths were sent to more than 1,220 locations across 

the United States and overseas, which is an increase of 

more than 100 locations compared to the previous year; 

Whereas, in December 2017, the tradition of escorting tractor-trailers filled with donated wreaths from Harrington, 

Maine, to Arlington National Cemetery will be continued 

by— 

(1) the Patriot Guard Riders; and 

(2) other patriotic escort units, including— 

(A) motorcycle units; 

(B) law enforcement units; and 

(C) first responder units; 

Whereas hundreds of thousands of individuals volunteer each 

December to help lay remembrance wreaths; 


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•SRES 353 ATS 

Whereas, in 2017, the trucking industry in the United States 

continues to support the Wreaths Across America project 

by providing drivers, equipment, and related services to 

assist in the transportation of wreaths to more than 

1,300 locations across the United States; 

Whereas the Senate designated December 17, 2016, as 

‘‘Wreaths Across America Day’’; and 

Whereas, on December 16, 2017, the Wreaths Across America project will continue the proud legacy of bringing remembrance wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) designates December 16, 2017, as ‘‘Wreaths 

3 Across America Day’’; 

4 (2) honors— 

5 (A) the Wreaths Across America project; 

6 (B) patriotic escort units, including— 

7 (i) motorcycle units; 

8 (ii) law enforcement units; and 

9 (iii) first responder units; 

10 (C) the trucking industry in the United 

11 States; and 

12 (D) the volunteers and donors involved in 

13 this worthy tradition; and 

14 (3) recognizes— 

15 (A) the service of veterans and members of 

16 the Armed Forces; and 


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•SRES 353 ATS 

1 (B) the sacrifices that veterans and mem2 bers of the Armed Forces have made, and con3 tinue to make, for the United States, a great 

4 nation. 

Æ 


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