Old Saybrook will once again honor the town's veterans on National Wreaths Across America Day on Saturday, Dec. 17. This time, however, the town is joining the national day with a wreath-laying ceremony of its own.

Founded in Maine in the early '90s, Wreaths Across America is a non-profit organization whose mission is to memorialize and pay respect to those who served the country as a member of its armed forces. The initiative aims for wreaths to be laid on the graves of veterans in towns across the country. A convoy of cars travels from Maine to Arlington National Ceremony in Washington, D.C. each December for a larger wreath-laying ceremony.

According to a press release from the Old Saybrook Fire Department (OSFD), “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. Since the initiative began, the Wreaths mission has laid one million wreaths by 2012 to remember and honor our veterans.”

Max Sabrin, an OSFD member, decided this was the year the town should recognize the veterans in Old Saybrook with a wreath and ceremony.

“I’ve been promoting the program within the department since at least 2008," Sabrin said.

While the convoy has passed through Old Saybrook before, Sabrin said this is the first year the town is participating in a wreath-laying ceremony of its own. In Old Saybrook specifically, there are 689 veterans buried in the town’s four cemeteries. According to Sabrin, the town has 100 volunteers to place the wreaths.

The town has also purchased 70 extra wreaths that will go to next year's event. To sponsor a wreath for 2023 (buy two get a third free) or to volunteer visit:wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/170882.

After the wreath-laying, the town will host a ceremony at noon on the Town Green. The ceremony will include members of the fire department and police department honor guard, a short performance by the Old Saybrook High School Choir, and an invocation and benediction by OSFD Chaplain Geoff Sinibaldo. The public and veterans in the community are welcome to attend.

"We're honored to be able to pay tribute again this year to Wreaths Across America and its message of honoring our veterans," said Sabrin in a statement.

Sabrin explained that the idea for the event sprung from when he was approached by a citizen asking why the town doesn’t do a wreath-laying ceremony of its own. Once he realized how many veterans are buried in Old Saybrook, Sabrin said he took up the challenge of getting the event organized.

“To be a part of this is very special and I’m very humbled,” said Sabrin.