I am grateful to one of my regular e-mailers for the story I am about to tell you, but before I even get there, let me tell you where I am. I am in Texas right now and later on today, I will be going to the Alamo for the first time in my life.
I think the Alamo is one of those touchstones that we all need to visit at least once in our lives. Like Pearl Harbor and Ground Zero, I believe the Alamo will renew my understanding of what it means to be an American. I think of the three places I just mentioned, the Alamo will probably fill me with the spirit of being a Citizen of the greatest country in the history of the planet more than the other two. But, I don't want to pre-judge it. I will certainly be blogging about it tomorrow.
So let's get back to this - and more proof that the America we all love is still out there and has in fact been shaken from a sleep by what is taking place in DC.
Here's what my e-mailer sent me about the pictures I reproduce here: Readers may be interested to know that these wreaths -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine .. The owner, Morrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one the poorest parts of the state.
There are no crowds when this happens. There is no advanced publicity and Mr Worcester has never served in any branch of our military. In 2006, he told the Washington Post: "It's just my way to say thank you and I've got a lot to be thankful for." When he started Worcester Wreaths in 1971, he sold 500 wreaths. This year, that number will top 500,000, mostly to the Maine-based retailer L.L. Bean.
After doing this quietly for a few years, Worcester received an e-mail which contained his story. But before the story and underneath the two pictures I print here were the following words.
Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.
Know the line has held, your job is done.
Rest easy, sleep well.
Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held.
Peace, peace, and farewell...
That e-mail became viral and after everyone had done their fact checking and found it to be true, others started to join in. And now there is a website dedicated to conducting similar ceremonies around the country - http://wreathsacrossamerica.org/ - a web site that coordinates similar rituals at more than 200 military cemeteries around the country.
"The veterans are going to get their due," Worcester told the Washington Post back in '06. "It's going to be quite something."
If you'd like to comment on this blog, you can do so my e-mailing me at simontalkshow@gmail.com
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