WEST WARWICK, R.I. – Arpin Van Lines’ drivers and agents from locations across the country volunteered to collect and deliver remembrance wreaths to be laid at veteran cemeteries on National Wreaths Across America Day on December 15.

“This is our sixth year participating in Wreaths Across America Day, and we are proud to be a part of this national movement to honor our veterans,” said Anthony Uriati, vice president of operations for Arpin Van Lines. “This event is a carefully coordinated nationwide effort among our drivers and agents to pick up the wreaths, transport and deliver them to veteran cemeteries across the country. It has become a valued tradition here at Arpin, which our drivers look forward to each year.”

Combined, Arpin drivers and agents delivered 23 truckloads, which carried 10,331 boxes containing 92,979 wreaths, to veteran cemeteries across the United States for remembrance ceremonies.

The Arpin drivers who participated were Steven Meyer, Steven Lee, Eddie Cooper, Steven Douglas, Bob Cordeiro, James and Carol Dunton, Chris McDonald, Doug Evers and Adam Money. The Arpin agents that volunteered to carry wreaths were Liberty Moving & Storage, Arpin of Rhode Island, Hampton Roads Moving & Storage, Apple Transfer & Storage, Allen's Moving Services, Omni Moving & Storage, RLD Relocation, Bristol-Plymouth Moving & Storage, and McGuire's Moving & Storage. In addition, Steven Meyer and Don Queeney of Hampton Roads Moving and Storage brought a truckload of wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery.

In Rhode Island, Arpin volunteers and their families were present at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter to take part in a memorial service for the veterans.

The Arpin Charitable Fund was an official fundraising sponsor of the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Donors raised enough money to purchase 67 wreaths to be placed on the markers of fallen veterans.

Wreaths Across America is a national nonprofit organization, founded in 2007, to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery started by Maine businessman, Morrill Worcester, in 1992. The organization coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at more than 800 cemeteries and military memorials in all 50 states, at sea and abroad. In 2008, and each year since, Congress has issued a proclamation officially recognizing “Wreaths Across America Day” each December.