Convoy of wreaths depart for Arlington National Cemetery

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

COLUMBIA FALLS, Maine (AP) — A convoy of a dozen trucks is carrying wreaths from Maine to Arlington National Cemetery to adorn the graves of fallen U.S. military personnel.

Wreaths Across America says a box truck and 11 donated tractor-trailers are on their way from Columbia Falls with the bulk of the 248,000 wreaths that'll be left at gravesites in Arlington.

The convoy is making stops in five Maine communities Sunday as it heads south, including one with Maine first lady Ann LePage. The trucks will leave the state Monday and are due to arrive in Arlington, Virginia, on Saturday.

All told, Wreaths Across America expects to ship more than 900,000 wreaths to adorn veterans' graves in hundreds of locations in all 50 states and overseas.

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/a2174b9c60fa4f54af205cb597178dfb/convoy-wreaths-depart-arlington-national-cemetery

[FairWinds]

1. The best way to honor us veterans is . .

to make fewer of us.

Veterans For Peace

[mahannah]

2. Amen.

[Plucketeer]

3. Imagine the money spent on this

A totally useless gesture for DEAD people. Gonna be heartening to hear all the post mortem testimonials as to their appreciations. Most of these "honored" would only wish that future generations would join them via "natural causes" & "old age".

[packman]

4. Agree

Money better spent on homeless vets, hospital bills for vets, etc., etc.

[Capt.Rocky300]

5. Obviously you don't have a loved one.....

buried there. You might feel differently if you did. I do.

[Plucketeer]

6. So your contention is

that this money COULD NOT be better spent? That it's best spent on dead people. Here's hoping those who've done this get plenty of Thank You notes from those interred.

And cynical SOB that I am, I wonder what components of those wreaths originated in the USA? Since I was involved in a wreath-making party a couple of years ago, I know that the wreath cores and the staples that hold boughs secure were all of foreign (China?) manufacture. Like those ridiculous yellow ribbon car magnets that proliferated after the Gulf war(s) - were all of Chinese manufacture - I'd rather not be remembered than have my mortal (Vietnam Volunteer) remains belittled. Your opinion may vary.

Why DO organizations such as The Wounded Warrior Project and other such support efforts even exist? One can only conclude that we don't provide adequately for the veterans we crow about loving and honoring SO MUCH. And yet while the hopeless ones find comfort in suicide - while the disheveled vets of unpopular actions enjoy the homey comforts of an old appliance carton, we can give our living, feeling, surviving selves solace by laying holiday decorations over long dead remains.

[Capt.Rocky300]

7. You are trying to put words in my mouth.......

What I am saying is it can and does provide comfort for the families of those lost. That does not take away from the fact that much more needs to be done to aid those vets who need help in whatever way necessary. Of course, the best way is to not send them into harm's way in the first place in illegal and/or elective wars.

[Historic NY]

8. Just to be clear they used to do this for free...I'm not against it but

its now evolved into a big business since 2005. This year they won't have enough to finish Arlington (which always was their goal), even with all the mega donors they list. Their costs a pretty high. They charge $15 a wreath. I just paid 6.68 w/tax for the same size & style wreaths at Home Depot to do some local graves. (They claim to be a non-profit)

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/arlington-national-cemetery-short-30000-wreaths/article/2577180?utm_campaign=Fox%20News&utm_source=foxnews.com&utm_medium=feed

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/nov/27/arlington-national-cemetery-short-30000-wreaths-du/#disqus_thread
(yeah the moonie paper)

* Near me 7000 were place at the West Point Post Cemetery, a first.