III 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 489 

Designating December 16, 2023, as ‘‘National Wreaths Across America Day’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

DECEMBER 6, 2023 

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

which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Designating December 16, 2023, as ‘‘National Wreaths 

Across America Day’’. 

Whereas 32 years before the date of adoption, the Wreaths 

Across America project began with an annual tradition 

that occurs in December of donating, transporting, and 

placing 5,000 Maine balsam fir veterans’ remembrance 

wreaths on the graves of the fallen heroes buried at Arlington National Cemetery; 

Whereas, in the past 32 years, more than 17,100,000 

wreaths have been sent to various locations, including national cemeteries and veterans’ memorials in every State 

and overseas; 

Whereas the mission of the Wreaths Across America project, 

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

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•SRES 489 ATS 

by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in all 50 States 

and overseas, including at— 

(1) Arlington National Cemetery; 

(2) veterans’ cemeteries; and 

(3) other memorial locations; 

Whereas the Wreaths Across America project carries out a 

week-long veterans’ parade between Maine and 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) teaching the next generation of children about 

the service and sacrifices made by our veterans and their 

families to preserve freedoms enjoyed by all in the United 

States; 

Whereas, in 2022, approximately 2,700,000 veterans’ remembrance wreaths were delivered to over 3,700 locations 

across the United States; 

Whereas, in December 2023, 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 veterans’ wreaths; 

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•SRES 489 ATS 

Whereas the trucking industry in the United States will continue to support the Wreaths Across America project by 

providing drivers, equipment, and related services to assist in the transportation of wreaths across the United 

States to more than 4,000 locations; 

Whereas the Senate designated December 17, 2022, as 

‘‘Wreaths Across America Day’’; and 

Whereas, on December 16, 2023, the Wreaths Across America project will continue the proud legacy of bringing veterans’ wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery: Now, 

therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) designates December 16, 2023, as ‘‘Na3 tional Wreaths 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 millions of volunteers and donors 

13 involved in 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 489 ATS 

1 (B) the sacrifices that veterans, their fam2 ily members, and members of the Armed Forces 

3 have made, and continue to make, for this great 

4 Nation. 

Æ