Dover Motor Speedway hosted the only Delaware stop on Wreaths Across America’s annual trek to honor America’s heroes at Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday, Dec. 12.
Wreaths Across America’s more than 60-vehicle convoy of tractor-trailers, Patriot Guard riders, veterans, Gold Star Families and first responders paraded to the Monster Monument at Victory Plaza before a 90-minute ceremony honoring the participants and the national effort.
“For us to be a pit stop on their way to Arlington is an honor and privilege,” said Mike Tatoian, Dover Motor Speedway’s president and general manager. “It was cold outside but everyone had a warm heart. During this holiday season, this is quite a reminder of the debt we owe those heroes who came before us and the responsibility we have to honor their sacrifice.”
The tradition of placing handmade balsam wreaths on fallen heroes’ graves began with the Worcester Wreath Company of Harrington, Maine, in 1992.
In 2023, Wreaths Across America and its national network of volunteers placed more than 3 million sponsored veterans wreaths on headstones of our nation’s service members at 4,224 participating locations. This was accomplished with the support of more than 5,000 sponsorship groups, corporation contributions, and in-kind donations from the transportation industry across the country.
To conclude Thursday’s event, Morrill Worcester, the founder of Wreaths Across America, waved a ceremonial green flag and implored the convoy to “start their engines” toward Arlington National Cemetery. National Wreaths Across America Day is Saturday, Dec. 14.
“We have a year-round mission,” said Karen Worcester, Wreaths Across America’s executive director. “I watch the Gold Star Families heal each other during the convoy – and they heal me as well. These Gold Star Families are the greatest example of the love of country that I’ve seen. You are what we love about this country.”
Speaking/performing participants in Thursday’s ceremony included:
- Mike Bagley, a SiriusXM NASCAR Radio host, Motor Racing Network and NBC Sports announcer, and Milford, Delaware-native, emceed the ceremonies.
- Caesar Rodney High School Silent Drill Team
- Dover Air Force Base Middle School Choir
- 436th Airlift Wing Base Honor Guard, Dover Air Force Base
- Patti Elliott, Gold Star mother
- Christopher Gordon, Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, Deputy Commander, Dover Air Force Base
- Chris Kondracki, Southside Baptist Church (Camden, Del.) lead pastor
- Senior Airman Nolan T. Kuhn, Dover Air Force Base Eagle Choir
- Delaware State Representative Shannon Morris
- Delaware State Senator Dave Lawson
- Doug Poore, Wreaths Across America, Kent County Coordinator
- Mike Tatoian, Dover Motor Speedway president/general manager
- Brian Wierzbicki, U.S. Navy
- Karen Worcester, executive director, Wreaths Across America
- Morrill Worcester, founder, Wreaths Across America
Dover Motor Speedway partners who volunteered their time and talent to help produce this event include the following: Collective Event Group, City of Dover Fire Department, City of Dover Police Department, Delaware Department of Transportation, Delaware State Police, High 5 Hospitality, International Sound Corporation, Kent County Department of Public Safety, Paramedics & Ambulance support, M&M Parking, Mission BBQ, Pyrotecnico and Waste Masters Solutions.
SPONSOR A WREATH, HELP DELAWARE CHILDREN:
In addition, supporters can sponsor a wreath at //www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/dovermotorspeedway
to be placed at area cemeteries. For every wreath sponsored through this portal, $5 is donated to Speedway Children’s Charities, Dover Motor Speedway chapter, which raises money for Delaware children in need.
