MIDDLETOWN, NJ – As part of its journey to Washington D.C., the national Wreaths Across America (WAA) project will be in Monmouth County on Wednesday, Dec. 11 and make a scheduled stop at the Thorne Middle School, 70 Murphy Rd.

“I hope that many of our residents from across the County come out and support the Wreaths Across America caravan when they stop here in Monmouth County at the Thorne Middle School in Middletown,” said Freeholder John P. Curley, liaison to the County’s Veterans Services Office. “We truly are blessed by the sacrifices of the brave men and women who have served.”

With the help of thousands of volunteers, WAA works to fulfill its mission of remembering, honoring and teaching through the annual laying of wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery.

The wreaths’ journey to Arlington has become a tradition in itself, allowing locals along the route to share in the emotional and educational experience as the WAA convoy passes through towns.

Thorne Middle School houses the World War II Battle of the Bulge Monument, previously located at Fort Monmouth.  The school is named for Corporal Horace “Bud” Thorne, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, who was killed in December 1944 during the battle that the monument commemorates. Thorne Middle School is the only school in New Jersey named for a Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient.

After a ceremony at the school, set to begin at approximately 11 a.m., the convoy will travel to its second stop in New Jersey, Liberty State Park in Jersey City.

The WAA journey to Arlington National Cemetery is set to begin Saturday, Dec. 7, in Harrington, Maine, and will travel down the East Coast. The convoy is scheduled to arrive in Arlington on National Wreaths Across America Day, Saturday, Dec. 14, where it will be met by thousands of volunteers who will place a wreath for the individuals who served to protect the freedoms of our country, ensuring no one is forgotten.

Individuals scheduled to attend the ceremony at Thorne Middle School are Founder and Executive Director of Wreaths Across America Morrill and Karen Worcester; American Gold Star Families; Maine’s First Lady Ann LePage; active and retired military including survivors of the Battle of the Bulge; members of the Thorne family; Thorne Middle School staff, students and community members; and Patriot Guard Riders.

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