Wreaths Across America visits Oak Hill Academy
On Wednesday, December 12, the Wreaths Across America (WAA) convoy made a destination stop at Oak Hill Academy, a private school in Monmouth County New Jersey, on its way to lay wreaths at all 400,000 graves at Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday, December 15. Oak Hill was one of only two schools chosen for this honor! The convoy of approximately 12 tractor trailers, 25 SUV’s including both Maine and NJ State Troopers, motorcycles and a VIP Bus with Veterans, Gold Star Families, Blue Star families as well as the founder of WAA, Morrill Worcester, his wife Karen, the executive director, and his team arrived at 9:00 am to a giant American Flag draped across West Front Street , and immediately into a school wide welcome of every student, teacher and staff member waving American flags. The CBA Pipes & Drums led the convoy along our inner roadway, Davis Drive, and then to the program to honor them in the Scire Student Activities Center.
The idea behind Wreaths Across America began in 1992 by Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Company of Harrington, Maine. His mission was to honor our nation’s heroes continued to grow and finally, in 2008, after Wreaths Across America was officially designated a non-profit 501-(c)(3) organization the year prior, US Congress unanimously voted to make the 2nd or 3rd Saturday of December as “Wreaths Across America Day”. WAA lays wreaths throughout the United States, and abroad through the efforts of thousands of volunteers. The goal of WAA is to “Remember. Honor. Teach.” This refers to their mission to Remember and Honor our veterans and Teach the next generations to do the same.
The WAA convoy was treated to an assembly honoring our United States Veterans as well as Blue Star and Gold Star families. Students performed musical, dance and dramatic pieces along with paying tribute to all branches of the military and the role they have played in protecting our freedom. Before Mr. Worcester and his team left to continue on their journey to Arlington via the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Holmdel, NJ, they were presented with goodie bags and a box of letters from our students written to the theme, “What is a Hero?”
Oak Hill Academy was honored to be a stopping point for this tremendous organization. Our long standing Veterans Day Assembly directed and produced annually by Patrice Murray, Director of Personnel & Administration, first acknowledged Wreaths Across America’s mission in 2017, and a year later, OHA was a part of their journey. In addition to our assembly, Oak Hill sold “Pretz for Vets” during lunch on Tuesday, December 4 where all proceeds went towards purchasing of Wreaths. Oak Hill Academy friends and families were able to purchase nearly 800 wreaths! If you would like to support the Wreaths Across America mission and sponsor a wreath <click here> . For more information on Wreaths Across America, please visit their website:
https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/
Oak Hill Academy 
