AARP Maine: Wreaths Across America’s Annual Escort to Arlington Includes Maine Stops

Wreaths Across America’s Annual Escort to Arlington Announces Stops in Maine

The nation’s longest veterans’ parade is coming to your community as it travels down the East Coast!

COLUMBIA FALLS, Maine – November 13, 2024 – Wreaths Across America (WAA) is proud to announce the commencement of its annual “Escort to Arlington,” the nation’s longest veterans’ parade. This event is meant to honor and remember our fallen heroes while instilling the value of freedom in the next generation.

The official route, available for viewing on the nonprofit’s website, will make stops at schools, memorials, and various locations down the East Coast. Unless specified otherwise, these events are open to the public and the community is encouraged to attend and welcome the escort as it arrives in the area. Please note that arrival times are approximate.

The Escort and its participants will travel through and make stops in Maine on Saturday and Sunday, December 7 and 8^, before heading South on Monday, December 9.

Saturday, December 7:

Quoddy Head Lighthouse, Lubec – 6:30 am

Calais Border Patrol Crossing, Calais – 10:30 am

Narraguagus High School, Harrington – 4:00 pm (invite-only event)


Sunday, December 8:

Parade through Milbridge – 7:45 am

Ellsworth YMCA – 8:40 am

Erskine Academy, South China – 12:15 pm

Lewiston High School – 3:10 pm

New Gloucester Veterans Monument – 6:45 pm

Escort arrives at Ocean Gateway, Portland – 8:30 PM


Monday, December 9:

Escort departs Portland waterfront – 7:15 am

Wells Junior High School – 8:30 am; departure toward I95 South planned for 10:45 am

This year’s Escort to Arlington participants will include the current national president of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., Patti Elliot, among many Gold Star family members – fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, wives and children. Additionally, the current national president of Blue Star Mothers, Inc., Rebecca Stafford, will join the trip along with Blue Star family members. Veterans representing many eras and Veteran Service Organizations (VSO), such as The American Legion National Vice Commanders Charles “Chuck” Robbins and Joseph “Joe” Lysaght and American Legion Auxiliary National President Trish Ward, will all be traveling on the week-long journey. Members of the Patriot Guard Riders, Patriot Riders, and law enforcement from departments across Maine and New England will provide escort to ensure safe transport for all participants throughout the week.

On Saturday, December 14, 2024, the nation will come together to observe National Wreaths Across America Day. Over 4,800 participating locations nationwide will host ceremonies to commemorate this special day. This event serves as an opportunity for communities to pay their respects to our fallen servicemembers.

To find a participating location near their community, volunteer to place wreaths, or make a $17 sponsorship to place a remembrance wreath for a local veteran laid to rest in their area can follow this link. Together, we can honor the fallen, show gratitude to those who serve, and impart the significance of freedom to future generations.