Brown Dog Carriers Says “Thank You” to Community for Bringing Wreaths Across America to Biddeford
BIDDEFORD, Maine (December 19, 2020) ─ Despite an unexpected snowstorm dropping more than a foot of snow, five teams of volunteers led by Brown Dog Carriers & Logistics President Graig Morin successfully placed more than 3,000 wreaths on the graves of Biddeford’s veterans on National Wreaths Across America Day, Saturday, December 19. This was the first year a Wreaths Across America event was held in Biddeford, taking place in conjunction with the annual wreath-laying at Arlington National Cemetery.
Five main cemeteries participated in the inaugural event, including St. Joseph Cemetery, Greenwood Cemetery, Woodlawn Cemetery, St. Demetrios Cemetery, and St. Mary’s Cemetery. Volunteers also placed wreaths at 13 private family cemeteries in the city.
To ensure the safety of all who participated, organizers worked closely with local public health officials from the City of Biddeford, Biddeford Fire Department and Biddeford Police Department to guide foot traffic and comply with outdoor gathering limits, social distancing, and mask mandates.
“The community really came out in force to safely make this happen, because they understand what it means to the families of veterans to be able to honor their loved ones during the holidays,” said Brown Dog President Graig Morin. “I couldn’t be more proud of this city for coming together, and I hope this becomes an annual tradition for our community.”
As preparations for the Biddeford wreath-laying got underway earlier in the week, two Brown Dog Carriers trucks departed Biddeford to join the Wreaths Across America convoy to Arlington National Cemetery carrying 8.748 wreaths. Since 2017, Brown Dog Carriers has volunteered to transport wreaths as part of the WAA convoy, an experience which inspired Brown Dog President Graig Morin to host a WAA event in Biddeford as a way to honor his grandfather, World War II Veteran Gerard Morin, and create an opportunity for others to do the same.
Brown Dog Carriers & Logistics wishes to thank the many individuals and organizations who came together to help bring Wreaths Across America to Biddeford this year, including (but not limited to): trumpet/bugle players Jessica Johnson, Mike Truchon, Donald Lauzier, Carla Beaudoin, Jackson Wood, and Larry Garland; bagpipe player Alec Thompson; photographer Tammy Belanger; sponsors and supporters Landry/French Construction, Nadeau’s Deli & Variety, Volk Packaging, Rousseau Insurance, Camden National Bank, Belanger & Sons Garage Door Co., Jim Godbout Plumbing and Heating, Saco & Biddeford Savings, Route 1 Safe Storage, Biddeford-Saco Dental Associates, Cross Insurance, Baker Newman Noyes, Portland Housing Authority, McLeod Software, Radio Communications Management, Knights of Columbus, SiteOne Landscape Supply, Coastline Property Maintenance, Maine Professional Drivers Association, Hope Memorial Chapel, Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center, La Kermesse, Haley’s Metal Shop, City of Biddeford, Biddeford Fire Department, Biddeford Police Department, Biddeford Historical Society, Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club, and American Legion Post 26.
About Wreaths Across America
Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as at thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. For more information, to sponsor wreaths or to sign up to volunteer, please visit www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org.