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12/04/2019 11:01 PMWreaths Across America, a convoy escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders, will again return to Old Saybrook on Tuesday, Dec. 10, with an estimated time of arrival at noon for a private lunch at the Old Saybrook High School at 1111 Boston Post Road, followed by a ceremony at 1:15 p.m. that is free and open to the public.
Old Saybrook is a major official stop in Connecticut as the Wreaths Across America caravan travels to Arlington National Cemetery, where the group will place wreaths on the graves of thousands of fallen soldiers. Old Saybrook has turned out in force to honor the traveling caravan in past years, so the Maine-based group will make the shoreline town a major stop again this year.
This year, Wreaths Across America will feature its educational trailer with a 22-seat video room that will be available to the public after 10 a.m. in front of Old Saybrook High School.
The public, especially World War II and Korean War veterans and their families, are invited and encouraged to attend. Any World War II and Korean War veterans or family members who will be attending are asked to RSVP by calling 860-395-5550 or emailing osfdpr@gmail.com. In addition, cadets from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London as well as sailors from the U.S. Naval Submarine Base in Groton are invited to attend.
Those attending the 1:15 p.m. ceremony can meet the Worcester family, which created the Wreaths Across America initiative, and thank the 100-plus volunteers: tractor-trailer drivers, Gold Star and Blue Star families, Patriot Guard Riders, Maine State Police, dignitaries, and veterans. Gil Simmons, a U.S. Marine veteran and NEWS8 chief meteorologist, will serve as the master of ceremonies and the invocation for Wreaths Across America will be given by Chaplain Retired Captain U.S. Navy Jane Vieira.
Among the dignitaries invited to attend this year’s special tribute are Governor Ned Lamont, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, and Old Saybrook First Selectman Carl Fortuna. Other local dignitaries invited include state senators Norm Needleman (D-34) and Paul Formica (R-20) and State Representative Devin Carney (R-23).
Morrill Worcester, the owner of Worcester Wreaths in Maine, began his generous initiative in 1992 with a trailer full of New England-grown wreaths decorated by volunteers, which he laid at the graves of fallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. Over the years, the wreaths mission has grown to encompass its current theme of “Remember, Honor, and Teach” the value of freedom in today’s world.
“We’re honored to be able to pay tribute again this year to Wreaths Across America and its message of honoring our veterans,” said Max Sabrin, one of the event coordinators and a member of the all-volunteer Old Saybrook Fire Department.
“Several years ago, we hosted them in town, and they were all touched by the generosity and genuine goodwill that Old Saybrook showed them,” said Sabrin. “So they wanted to stop here again, and everyone in town has pulled together to make Tuesday, Dec. 10 a very special time for Morrill and Karen Worcester and their Wreaths Across America volunteers, and for those of us in Old Saybrook.”
Sabrin also expressed special thanks to the Rotary Club Foundation of Old Saybrook, the Elks Lodge No. 1784 of Westbrook, Shoreline Ladies Golf League, and the VFW #10153 of Old Saybrook for their donations to make lunch possible for the Wreaths Across America volunteers.
The Wreaths Across America caravan is scheduled to depart from Old Saybrook High School at about 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 10 and the public is encouraged to cheer its participants on as they head out to continue their journey to Arlington National Cemetery.