Wreaths Across America Will Honor Veterans on Saturday

This article is courtesy of Swampscott veterans' agent Jim Schultz.

On Saturday Dec., 15th, 2012 members of the Swampscott community will gather to honor veterans during the holiday season as part of the annual Wreaths Across America Day.

The Marine Corps League Captain Jennifer J. Harris Detachment #871 has volunteered to conduct the WAA ceremony this year at the Swampscott Cemetery at noon on Saturday. Sixteen ceremonial wreaths will be placed to remember all soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who served, honor their sacrifices, and teach our younger generations about the high cost of our freedoms.

Specially designated wreaths for the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, and POW/MIA will be placed on memorials during a ceremony that will be coordinated simultaneously at over 750 participating locations all across the Country.

In 2012 it is projected that over 400,000 wreaths will be placed nationwide, by over 150,000 volunteers as part of the Wreaths Across America mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach.

The Wreaths Across AmericaTM story began over 20 years ago when the Worcester Wreath Company from Harrington, Maine initiated a tradition of donating and placing wreaths on the headstones of our Nation’s fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery. Recognition of the service and sacrifice of our veterans, and their families, is especially poignant during the traditional holiday season.

Worcester Wreath Company continues to be a major supporter of the project, donating over 30,000 total wreaths in 2011. Over 400,000 wreaths will be sponsored by individuals, businesses, and groups from communities Nation-wide. Wreaths will be placed in all 50 states from Maine to Alaska and Hawaii, and at 24 national cemeteries on foreign soil.

If you would like to sponsor a wreath, or would like more information about events planned for your community, please call the town veterans' agent, Jim Schultz, at 781-596-8853 for more information.