Wreaths Across America: The Interviews
At 91 years old, Nancy Willey works as a Museum Tour Guide at the Wreaths Across America Museum in Columbia Falls, Maine. She has held this position for nearly ten years, after she was asked by the Worcster family. Nancy had previously taught Karen and Morril while they were in high school and later homeschooled their two youngest daughters. After the girls had graduated Karen and Morril thought she would be great working in the museum. “I came here because most of my friends had passed away. I was always an active person in the community and this was an excellent place to keep contributing and giving back.”
Nancy has previously joined the convoy to Arlington National Cemetery to lay wreaths, and while she no longer participates in that leg of the journey she is an active member of the Maine portion of Wreaths Across America. Nancy takes part in many events with Wreaths Across America such as banquets, special programming, and of course daily tours for visitors and Gold Star Families.
When asked about what she wants Mainer’s to know she replied with a smile and tear in her eye, “I think, if possible, any Mainer who can come to Columbia Falls to the museum should come and find out about true stories of service members and their families, and how we got our start.”
Nancy said, “I have a lot of families who come through here. I ask each kid if they salute the flag. Most do. Some don’t. It bothers me. That flag means so much. It’s for those who have served and the lives that were lost fighting for that flag… I think more kids today should know that is what it represents.”
Nancy can be found giving tours at the Wreaths Across America Museum at: 4 Point Street, Columbia Falls, Maine 04623 most days of the week. She will greet you at the door and offer you a tour with a smile on her face. The stories she shares and the passion she has will fill your heart and bring a tear to your eye as well. If you don’t believe me, just take a day trip to visit her and her co-workers. –ST
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Ed Farnsworth of Ellsworth was seen standing against one of two fire trucks with ladders extended, each holding one side of the American flag as it swayed in the morning air. He was at the Ellsworth YMCA the first morning of the convoy. This is his 13th year supporting the Wreaths Across America.
Ed says that he keeps coming back each year because, “it’s a worthwhile cause with a lot of tradition. This is a special event. Most people are lucky if they see it once or twice. The amount of support keeps growing over the years. It’s impressive to see how many [national and local] companies donate their trucks, drivers, time, money, and supplies to make this work.” Ed added that having this organization based in the state of Maine is “impressive,” and shows the rest of the nation just how much we listen to the voices of our veterans. –ST
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Michael Deede, 51 of Texas was seen standing with a group of fellow truck drivers at the Ellsworth YMCA. Michael was chosen 8 years ago by his company to take part in the Wreaths Across America convoy. He keeps coming back each year noting, “It’s an honor to participate.”
Michaels favorite part of the convoy is, “everyone coming out and supporting us.” He notes that the travel to Maine each year is, “an experience… everyone along the way and everyone up here is friendly.” Something that could be said about himself as he was the first of the truck drivers to volunteer for an interview.
Michael’s grandfather served in the Air Force for 40 years, making his ties to this mission even stronger. Michael says the one thing he wants to leave with readers is, “to never forget.” Something that he didn’t expand upon, because it simply doesn’t need to be. –ST
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Bob Beske of Castine, Maine was a first year participant in the Wreaths Across America Convoy. Bob had been watching the convoy for several years and wanted to do a ride in the trucks as he had never been in a semi before and thought it would be fun. This year while getting his car fixed he had seen a Wreaths Across America vehicle in the shop and told the workers about how much he wanted to take part in the trek.
The shop passed along his name and contact information and a little while later he heard back. He was going to be able to take part in the first portion of the Convoy with Truck Driver Seth Ennis of Indiana. Together they will ride from Columbia Falls to Belfast, Maine making a few stops along the way and admiring the lines of local residents who sit at the ends of their driveways waving flags and beeping their horns as the convoy passes.
Bob and his wife were asked if they would be willing to volunteer as tour guides at the museum and agreed. He says, “it was a good experience, there were so many generous and grateful people and so many tears too.” He noted that one of things he plans to share with others about his experience is how great it can be to “just step up and volunteer.” Being a Maine resident he says, “it really makes you proud. This is a great industry and there seems to be a lot involved [in it].”
Bob jokingly said, “I’ve rode in the truck but I haven’t been allowed to drive the truck yet!” When asked if he would ever go for his CDL in order to take part in the full convoy he said, “I’m very retired so no CDL is in my future… The tour job is just enough for me!” Although it was his first year, Bob plans to keep active stating, “the people, the drivers, everything, it’s all so wonderful.” –ST
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Two year Navy Veteran, Seth Ennis of Indiana is in his 3rd year of driving truck for the Wreaths Across America. Seth is one of 50 or so veterans in his family and takes this job as one of his most serious deliveries of the year.
Seth’s friend had previously volunteered as a truck driver with Wreaths Across America and had reached out to tell him about the experience. Seth said from the moment he heard about the mission he knew it was something he wanted to partake in. For a few years Seth tried to get involved, some of his experiences with the Convoy happened during the Pandemic.
Seth was worried he wouldn’t be able to participate this year as sickness had hit his house and he and his family were faced with other struggles. He said, “this experience means so much to me, that it would take an act of God to stop me from coming here.” A sentiment that could be said the same about how he was able to participate this year. The folks of Wreaths Across America reached out to support him and ensure that he was able to take part in this year’s convoy.
When asked about today’s events Seth said, “You don’t find comradery with stranger’s like this anywhere else. When we are here, we aren’t strangers, we’re friends you just haven’t met yet. It really adds a whole other layer to our service history.”
As an out-of-stater Seth described his 1,350 mile journey to Maine as, “an experience… I make excuses to come back to the state all year round. The patriotism here is unmatched.”
Seth brings home a case of wreaths each year for the headstones of his family members who have passed. He notes that Wreaths Across America doesn’t yet stop in his hometown. He visits the cemeteries often, and has the opportunity to lay a Maine Made wreath on his family’s graves while saying their names out loud, not once but twice, because he is a strong believer in someone dying twice; once when they pass away, and again when their name is spoken for the last time.
“Do whatever you can to get involved. Once you are bitten by the Wreaths Across America bug you won’t be able to stop.” –ST
