Wells students honor veterans in Wreaths Across America journey

WELLS, Maine — Around noon on Dec. 8, the Wreaths Across America convoy rolled down Route 1 in Wells on its 750‑mile journey to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

As the caravan passed Wells Junior High School, hundreds of students lined the road, waving to semi‑tractor trailers, police escorts, and support vehicles carrying thousands of holiday wreaths. The wreaths will be placed at the gravesites of veterans at Arlington and other cemeteries along the way.

This year, two Wells High School freshmen, Gavin Dusza and Noah Busick, were selected to join the convoy as representatives of the Maine Civil Air Patrol (CAP). Both cadets, longtime friends from the Sanford squadron, earned their spots by submitting resumes, essays on honor, and completing interviews.

Dusza holds the rank of staff sergeant, while Busick is a senior airman.

The pair traveled in a CAP vehicle with other cadets and will take part in the wreath‑laying ceremony at Arlington on Dec. 13.

"When we remember and honor our veterans, it stays in our hearts forever," Dusza said. "It is an honor to represent the state of Maine and the town of Wells."

Busick echoed the sentiment in his essay. "By participating, we learn that honor is earned through service, respect, and keeping their memory alive," he wrote.

Wreaths Across America was founded by Morrill Worcester, president of Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine. Worcester began the tradition in 1992, personally delivering wreaths to Arlington to honor veterans' service and sacrifice.

Today, Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place for more than 400,000 service members and eligible dependents, including veterans from the Civil War, World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Wells students honor veterans in Wreaths Across America journey