Old Saybrook, CT — “Wreaths Across America” (www.wreathsacrossamerica.org) a traveling caravan escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders, will again return to Old Saybrook on Dec. 7, 2010, at 5:30 p.m. where it will be met by local veterans, townspeople and students.
Old Saybrook is a major official stop in Connecticut on WAA’s journey to Arlington National Cemetery, where the group will place wreaths on the graves of thousands of fallen soldiers. The town 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.
A wreath-laying at the Town Green War Memorial on Main Street (310 Main St; next door to OSFD fire headquarters) will be held on Tuesday, Dec 7, at 5:30 p.m. Special ceremonies will be held at the Old Saybrook High School at 1111 Boston Post Road in Old Saybrook on Tuesday, Dec, 7, at 7 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. Special guest Master of Ceremonies will be Gil Simmons (a Marine) and morning TV meteorologist for NEWS8, who is honored to be a part of this special ceremony.
Invited this year as part of the town’s special tribute are U.S. Senator-Elect and Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, Governor-Elect Dan Malloy, Governor M. Jodi Rell, Lt. Governor-Elect and State Comptroller Nancy Wyman, 2nd District Congressman Joe Courtney, and State Representative Marilyn Giuliano.
Morrill Worcester, 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,” says Max Sabrin, one of the event coordinators and a member of the all-volunteer Old Saybrook Fire Department. “Two years ago, we hosted them in town and they were all touched by the generosity and genuine goodwill that this town showed them. So they wanted to stop here again, and everyone in town has pulled together to make Tuesday, Dec. 7, and Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2010, a very special time for Morrill & Karen Worcester and the ‘Wreaths Across America’ folks and for those of us in Old Saybrook.”
Sabrin says this year’s third annual tribute will include local Connecticut veterans, citizen volunteers, as well as high school students, local Boy Scouts, and the Color/Honor Guards from the U.S. Navy Sub Base, the U.S.Coast Guard, the Old Saybrook Police Department, the Old Saybrook Fire Department, CT Statewide Honor Guard and the Connecticut State Police.
There will be a special half-hour assembly and presentation emceed by Kevin Hogan, WFSB Eyewitness News anchor and New London Bureau Chief on Wednesday, Dec. 8, at 9 a.m. at the Old Saybrook Middle School, 60 Sheffield Street. It is free and open to the public. Anyone interested in helping to defray expenses can make a donation to the Old Saybrook Fire Department, 310 Main St., Old Saybrook, CT, 06475. Please note on the check “Wreaths Across America Donation.”
