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4th Annual Wreaths Across America-Branford Honors 1,665 in Military Graves

Following a ceremony at St. Agnes Cemetery on a clear, cold afternoon, Wreaths Across America (WAA) - Branford organizer Mark Hally had plenty of volunteers to help distribute 1,665 wreaths at military graves among the town’s 7 cemeteries on Saturday, Dec. 17.

Each year on National WAA Day, wreaths like those now at Branford military graves are placed on military graves at Arlington National Cemetery and at tens of thousands of other military graves across the country at over 1,200 locations.

Hally instituted Branford's WAA program in 2019 as part of his Eagle Scout project. His first WAA volunteer wreath-laying event was held on Dec. 14, 2019.

“I wanted to have every Branford veteran in the town to have a wreath on their headstone, just like they do at Arlington,” said Hally, speaking to those gathered on Dec. 17.

“This is the fourth year, and through the generosity of so many people the program has grown into what it is now,” he said.

Hally, who chairs the WAA-Branford committee, said this year's program is deeply grateful for a $10,250 donation from Lockheed Martin, owner of Sikorsky Aircraft. Last year, Lockheed Martin donated $9,000 to WAA-Branford. This year’s donation was especially important, as a fundraiser Hally had organized to take place on the Branford green in October was canceled due to weather.

“We wouldn’t be able to acknowledge as many veterans as we did without this donation,” said Hally.

Hally also thanked Branford Fire Chief Thomas Mahoney and the Branford Fire Department for providing continued support of the event each year.

The Dec. 17 ceremony opened with Branford’s Ava Cosgrove singing the national anthem. Patriotic music by Stony Creek Fife & Drum Corps included the Armed Forces Medley. During the medley, local representatives of each branch of the military walked up to hold specially decorated wreaths on display beside Branford Engine 1.

Among the military veterans stepping up for their service branch was long-time WAA and WAA-Branford supporter Dottie Packer (N.C. USN, Retired). Before WAA-Branford got its start, for many years, Packer had traveled annually with the WAA convoy from Maine to Arlington National Cemetery (VA). Together with Branford veteran Pamela Bold (Health Services Chief, USCG, Retired), Packer also coordinated special stops of the convoy in Branford, including those in 2017 and 2018 which inspired Hally to bring WAA to Branford.

During the ceremony on Dec. 17, Branford U.S. Army veteran Brian Miniter discussed the history and importance of honoring military graves through WAA, which has as its goal to help all “remember, honor and teach.” Branford Army veteran and WAA-Branford committee member Vincent Giordano served as Master of Ceremonies. The ceremony concluded with a rifle squad salute by Branford military veterans, led by Branford Army veteran Philip Zielinski. It was followed by Taps on trumpet, played by Miniter.

Volunteers then gathered by the American flag hoisted on the ladder of Engine 1 for a group photo, before fanning out to place wreaths at veterans graves across Branford. As part of the WAA tradition, volunteers were asked to say each veteran’s name aloud before placing the wreath at their grave.

Between December 17, 2022 and January 12, 2023, the national WAA organization will double any donation made and received by Hally for next year’s December, 2023 WAA-Branford event. Checks made payable to Wreaths Across America can be mailed to: Mark Hally, 18 Wilford Avenue, Branford, CT 06405. Online donations are also being accepted at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/CT0101