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11/14/2018 01:53 PMOn Tuesday, Dec. 11 at 1:30 p.m., shoreline residents are urged to show patriotic support and line the route of the massive Wreaths Across America (WAA) convoy, which will enter Branford off I-95 Exit 55 and make its way to Branford Fire Headquarters, 45 North Main St., for a one-hour special ceremony. Residents can also show their support as the convoy leaves town via Exit 53 on the way to Arlington National Cemetery.
The impressive convoy includes 12 specially-wrapped WAA vehicles together with buses and SUVs transporting some 200 volunteers. The convoy is escorted by a platoon of state police and Patriot Guard motorcycles escorting one dozen 18-wheelers helping to deliver 325,000 balsam fir wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery. Now in its 27th year, WWA 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. In return, those lining the streets for views such as the one in store for Branford will help put the town's support on display for members of the military and the Gold Star and Blue Star families traveling with the convoy.
It's the second time in two years that the convoy will come here, thanks to Branford military veterans and Dottie Packer and Pamela Bold, who will once again be aboard the WAA convoy from its origin point in Maine to its destination in Virginia.
"It's such a huge honor to be on this honor convoy again this year," said Packer. "While it is the mission of Wreaths Across America to remember, honor, and teach, I feel it is also our responsibility as citizens of the United States of America to do the same every day. "
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.
Serving as WWA coordinators for the Branford stop, the two veterans truly hope a huge number of Branford residents, businesses and organizations will turn out to line the convoy's route through town on Dec. 11.
"Just like last year, we would like everyone to come out with a flag or a poster, wear red, white and blue and show your support for this honor convoy," said Packer, who worked with Bold to bring WAA to town for the very first time in December of 2017.
Even though a rainy/snowy mix of weather may have dampened some of the crowd lining the Branford route last year, the convoy and it's military and volunteer leaders were so impressed with the greeting and ceremony conducted here in 2017 that Branford was "automatically" put on the map for a return visit this year, by none other than WAA founder Morrill Worster himself, said Packer.
On Dec. 11, "...the convoy can be seen in its entirety at 1:30 p.m.," said Packer. "It will come off exit 55 and proceed all the way down to the fire department, where there will be a one-hour presentation. Then it will exit the fire department and proceed to Exit 53. So people can be lining Route 1 [to] to view this expression of honor for those veterans who have paid the ultimate sacrifice."
She also noted that safety is paramount during the convoy's week-long journey to Arlington.
"We cannot predict the weather so while there have been delays the convoy has always been able to complete its mission on National Wreaths Across America day," she said.
National WAA Day will be marked on Dec. 15, 2018. This year's WAA theme is "To Be Their Witness," said Packer.
"Heroes are buried in all types of cemeteries; not just Arlington and state veterans cemeteries. It is the hope of Wreaths Across America to have a wreath for every veteran in all cemeteries," she said.
For the first time this year, wreaths will be laid on the grave stones at the American Cemetery in Normandy France.
The WAA convoy's 2018 visit and stop in town will be one of only a handful scheduled in the annual, impressive trip from Maine to Virginia, in what has become known as "America's largest Veterans Day Parade." The convoy stops at a variety of locations such as schools, veterans' organizations, military museums and fire departments. When the convoy reaches Branford Fire Headquarters, Packer and Bold will escort a special group from the convoy in for the one-hour ceremony. Honored guests will include 2018 WWA Grand Marshal Becky Christmas, who is president of the National Gold Star Mothers of America; WAA's founders, several members of Gold Star and Blue Star families from the convoy and local families, and many veterans including local veterans. Gold Star families are those of military veterans who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Blue Star families have family members serving in the military.
To help emphasize that the ceremony will be held at Branford Fire Headquarters, Packer and Bold have been working with Branford Fire Chief Tom Mahoney to help spread the word on Branford Fire Department's Facebook page and even carried the WWA banner with the Branford Fire Department contingent during the Veterans Day Parade in town on Nov. 11.
Additionally, Packer and Bold thank East Shoreline Catholic Academy in Branford (formerly St. Mary's School) for welcoming them and their WAA message during the Veterans Mass on Nov. 8 to help spread the news about the convoy's upcoming visit and ceremony.
For Packer and Bold, having the town turn out to show its support of WAA means so much not only to those in the convoy, but to all military veterans and families here and across the country. Last year, in an open letter thanking the Branford community for its support, the two encouraged year-round support of veterans and programs assisting veterans. They also suggested setting an empty place at the table to "...remind us of our us of military; either someone who has paid the ultimate sacrifice, or someone who is currently serving, or a Veteran who is MIA/POW."
"We must never forget the sacrifices that our veterans are making everyday, and their families, to preserve our freedom," said Packer, speaking on behalf of herself and Bold. "Our United States military population is less than one percent. Those who choose to serve in the United States military are not ordinary people but extraordinary people who possess those exemplary attributes of leadership, courage, commitment and integrity to defend our country and its values."
To sponsor a wreath in support of the mission of non-profit Wreaths Across America, visit https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org