Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America started in 1992 with Morril Worcester, a wreath maker in Maine. He had extra wreaths that year and chose to donate them to put on the graves of soldiers. Now there are more than 2,700 locations that participate in National Wreaths Across America Day, which is this Saturday, Dec. 18th. 

Veterans’ wreaths are ceremoniously placed on the headstones of those who served our country and protected our freedoms. Their names are read aloud to honor them and make certain they are never forgotten. 

“It is a simple gesture of thanks that has grown into a national movement of dedicated volunteers and communities coming together to not only remember the nation’s fallen and honor their service, but to teach the next generation about the sacrifices made for us to live freely.” 

-Heather Sanford 

There will be no public ceremony this year but the eight wreaths displayed in front of Town Hall will remain for a week and half to celebrate. The wreaths are dedicated to each branch of service; United States Army, United States Marine Corps, United States Navy, United States Air Force, United States Space Force, United States Coast Guard, United States Merchant Marine, and POW/MIA. 

The wreaths were placed by Heather Sanford from the Daughters of the American Revolution, accompanied by her husband James G. Sanford, a member of the Color Guard for the NJ Society Sons of the American Revolution, and her father; Daniel G. Black, who is a Vietnam Veteran, U.S. Navy. 

For more information about Wreaths Across America you can visit http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/njbace 

You can also visit the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) and the SAR (Sons of the American Revolution) websites to learn more about them.