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12/13/2018 01:08 PMBranford showed its support for Wreaths Across America (WAA) on December 11; with supporters outside and a ceremony inside at Branford Fire Headquarters creating a welcome stop for the Maine-to-Virginia convoy. The impressive convoy visited Branford en route to Arlington National Cemetery.
For the second consecutive year, the WAA convoy and the special guests it carries were welcomed with support from the Town of Branford, Branford Fire and Police, local veterans, local school music students, and others; thanks to the coordination work of Branford military veterans Lt. Commander Dottie Packer (N.C. USN, Retired) and Pamela Bold (Health Services Chief, USCG, Retired). Packer and Bold travel annually with the WAA convoy.
At approximately 1:45 p.m. on Dec. 11, the convoy arrived at the fire department on North Main Street. A large crowd of supporters and members of local military support groups lined the entrance as specially-wrapped WAA vehicles as well as an escort bus and SUVs carrying some 200 volunteers entered, horns honking. Several states were represented by escorting State Police. Additionally, a group of flag-bearing Patriot Guard motorcyclists gave escort to the convoy. The convoy's collection of 18-wheelers, each loaded with balsam fir wreaths bound for Arlington National Cemetery, also made quite an impact. The convoy is scheduled to arrive at Arlington on Dec. 15, where volunteers will place 325,000 wreaths on military graves.
The Dec. 11 Branford ceremony got underway at about 2:30 p.m. The crowd heard remarks from Packer followed by the presentation of The Colors by Branford Fire/Police combined Honor Guard, with patriotic music by East Shoreline Catholic Academy (ESCA) Fife and Drum Corps and Branford High School Music Makers. The students also performed additional music in the day's program, together with music from the Brass Quintent of the 102nd Army Band and song from members of ESCA choir. Branford First Sgt. Ed Masotta, U.S. Army, served as master of ceremonies.
2018 WAA Grand Marshal and American Gold Star Mothers' National President Becky Christmas was among a series of speakers who addressed a packed crowd filling the bays inside the fire department for the Dec. 11 ceremony.
"This is the first time for me to be on this wonderful, magical meaningful trip," Christmas told the Branford assembly. She noted how both Gold Star Mothers and WAA were organizations started by individuals deciding to voluntarily show a form of support of the military; from Gold Star mothers providing comfort to veterans visiting the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C.; to WAA founder Morril Worcester first arranging to honor an older, less-visited section of Arlington with wreaths in 1992. Christmas also reminded the Branford audience that "...one person can make a huge difference."
Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreaths Company of Harrington ME, founded non-profit WAA in 2007, together with his family, veterans and other individuals who had helped continue the project Worcester began in 1992. On Dec. 11, he and WAA Executive Director Karen Worcester, WAA board chair Wayne Hanson and WAA board member Ann Hanson, as well as dozens of representatives of Gold Star and Blue Star families, were also among the day's honored guests in Branford.
In addition to presenting wreaths to local veterans representing branches of the military, as well as representatives of local first responders, WAA veterans traveling with the convoy were presented with Quilts of Valor created by members of the CT Quilts of Valor chapter. Sue Riech, president of Quilts of Valor Foundation, and Jane Doughtery, co-coordinator of CT Quilts of Valor, assisted with the presentations.
WAA uses the power of its convoy to help citizens remember America's fallen heroes, honor those who serve, and teach youth about the sacrifices of veterans and their families to preserve freedom.
First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove said the Town of Branford was honored to welcome the return of WAA and to help continue its mission.
"When I first learned about Wreaths Across America a few years ago, their mission had an immediate impact on me: Remember, Honor and Teach," said Cosgrove. "Reflecting on those three words, it's really a profound statement. For each action is only successful by depending on the other actions as part of that mission. Branford is proud to support this mission; and as a community we will continue to remember, honor and teach."
For more informations, visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org where donations are also accepted to help continue and expand the mission of WAA.