Printer Friendly Version - Branford Joins Wreaths Across America Family

The Wreaths Across America convoy made a stop in Branford, one of the twelve stops on their way down to Arlington, Viginia, from Maine. Here, the convoy presents the local military, police, fire, and town with an official wreath in a small private ceremony at the high school. Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Sound

On Dec. 12, Branford officially became part of the Wreaths Across America (WAA) family. Thanks to the initiative of two Branford military veterans, the massive WAA convoy delivered a group of honored escorts to Branford High School (BHS) for a patriotic ceremony. The stop was one of only 12 scheduled in the 2017 convoy’s trip from Maine to Virginia, in what has become known as America’s largest Veterans Day parade,according to WAA organizers. The convoy carried 40,000 wreaths from Harrington, Maine, to be laid on every veteran’s grave at Arlington Cemetery.

Branford military veterans Dottie Packer and Pamela Bold were traveling with the 2017 WAA convoy’s platoon of 200 volunteers and had the honor of escorting the special group to the BHS gym on Dec. 12. Among them were WAA’s founders, the 2017 convoy’s co-grand marshals, many military veterans, and several members of Gold Star and Blue Star families, including some local families.

Branford Police coordinated the arrival of the convoy and Branford Fire Department hosted its one dozen tractor trailers during an hour-long pit stop at Branford Fire Headquarters. Despite an arrival delayed by over an hour due to weather conditions, as well as on-again-off-again rain showers in Branford, small groups of onlookers turned out to cheer the convoy on as it entered Branford from Exit 55 and traveled on Route 1 toward the high school. Among them were members of Branford Garden Club and CT Quilts of Valor.

The convoy split off to allow a set of WAA vehicles and a bus carrying honored escort members to BHS. Those vehicles later traveled through the center of town along Main Street to meet up with the tractor trailers at the southbound entrance of I-95 Exit 53. The entire WAA convoy arrived at Arlington Cemetery on Dec. 16.

Knowing the convoy had a schedule to keep, Branford’s patriotic ceremony got underway shortly after the convoy rolled into town at approximately 3 p.m., escorted by Patriot Guard members and other motorcycle groups as well as Maine and Connecticut State Police and Branford Police.

The arrival and BHS ceremony was organized by Packer and Bold and WAA, working together with the school district, police and fire officials and the Town of Branford.

“Several months ago, Dottie Packer and Pamela Bold came to my office [and] said we want to bring Wreaths Across America to the town of Branford,” said First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove in his welcoming remarks at BHS on Dec. 12. “We talked about the mission of remembering, honoring, and teaching, and without a doubt this was something that Branford wanted to be a part of. It’s a tremendous honor to be part of this, so once again, thank you.”

The ceremony closed with a surprise presentation from CT Quilts of Valor co-coordinator Jane Dougherty, during which 2017 WAA convoy Grand Marshal and Medal of Honor Recipient Col. Roger Donlon (U.S. Army Special Forces, retired) was wrapped in a quilt made for him in the tradition of the organization.

Donlon and his wife and co-Grand Marshal Norma Donlon were recognized at several points during the BHS ceremony as were WAA co-founders Merrill Worcester of the Worcester Wreath Co. and his wife and WAA Executive Director Karen Worcester.

Saying Branford is now part of the “Wreaths Across America family,” an emotional Bold said this has been the “biggest joy...that I can do this small part to bring this convoy to our town. The mission is to never forget our veterans, POWs, or MIAs.”

Bold is a retired chief petty officer, U.S. Coast Guard, who served in the U.S. Air Force for four years, U.S. Navy for eight years, and U.S. Coast Guard for 10 years for a total of 22 years of military service. Packer is a retired lieutenant commander, Nurse Corps, U.S. Navy. She served with the U.S. Navy for 26 years, with 15 years as a nurse and 11 years as a corpsman. Both have been part of past WAA convoys.

Speaking to The Sound on her way into the BHS gym on Dec. 12, Packer said the entire experience, from putting Branford on the WAA map to traveling with the 2017 WAA convoy and experiencing it’s first arrival in town, has been “remarkable.”

“Branford is now part of the Wreaths across America family and its mission of remembering our fallen, honoring our veterans, and to teach the young children about securing freedom,” said Packer, adding WAA helps youngsters to recognize “that freedom’s not free, and there are sacrifices made.”

Packer told The Sound that the WAA convoy will return to Branford in 2018. One of the reasons the organization wants to be sure to make the stop is that, due to weather conditions, the convoy was delayed and the patriotic ceremony at BHS took place after students were dismissed for the day.

BHS Principal Lee Panagoulias said that, while the student body was not able to attend the ceremony as hoped, the school’s students “truly understand the meaning of this ceremony, and what Wreaths Across America does.”

The ceremony did have student participation in performances of patriotic music from members of St. Mary’s School Fife and Drum Corps and BHS Music Makers.

Superintendent of Schools Hamlet Hernandez (himself retired as lieutenant colonel, U.S. Marine Corps) said he reflected on three words that describe the mission of WAA, “Remember, honor, and teach...three simple words that are so profoundly meaningful,” he told the audience.

“Assembled today are many individuals who have embraced these words and who have devoted their time and talent to the cause of remembering our fallen brothers and sisters. They have devoted time to honor those who have worn and currently wear the military uniform, and to teach these concepts to the next generation that will go on to help our nation reach great things,” said Hernandez, adding, “[T]he selflessness and devotion of all the volunteers ensures that our fallen brothers and sisters are covered with a loving wreath, and their name is openly spoken while keeping their soul warm and their legacy alive. For that we are grateful, and indeed, we are Americans—yes, we are.”

As part of the event, Packer and Bold presented WAA wreaths to BHS, the Town of Branford, local veterans representing the branches of the military, Branford Police and Branford Fire departments, and St. Mary’s School.