Tag Archives: Wreaths Across America

Wreath Day (and welcome-the-truck day) are right around the corner

6 Dec

National Wreaths Across America Day, Saturday Dec. 14, is almost here.

On that day, community members will gather to lay about 2,100 wreaths on veterans’ graves at four cemeteries: Webster Union, Union Hill, Webster Rural and Holy Trinity cemeteries. It’s a solemn ceremony designed to remember these servicemen and women and to thank them for their sacrifices.

credit: G. Peck
credit: G. Peck

I hope that you and your family members are planning to join us (more details about the day are below), but in the meantime here’s an easy and delicious way to support Wreaths Across America:

Right now, at four Village of Webster businesses, you can pick up a coupon which, when presented at Jersey Mike’s Subs next week together with a $3 donation to Wreaths Across America, you’ll get a FREE REGULAR SUB.

What a super way to get an inexpensive, delicious lunch or dinner and benefit a great cause at the same time.

The coupons are available right now at M.O. Pasta (5 E. Main St.), LaLa of Webster (38 E. Main), the Village Quilt Shoppe (21 E. Main) and the North Bee (27 North Ave.). Just stop in and ask for yours, then take it (or several) to the Jersey Mike’s at 975 Ridge Rd. They’re valid from Wednesday Dec. 11 through Friday Dec. 13.

Help to welcome the wreaths truck!

The Wreaths Across America truck is expected to arrive in Webster sometime next week (possibly Wednesday, an 18-wheeler traveling from Maine (where the wreaths are created) to deliver our 2,100 wreaths. The plan is for it to pick up a police escort at the Roseland Fire Station (corner of Salt and Plank roads) and then continue to Webster Union Cemetery. The truck is part of the Wreaths Across America “Honor Fleet,” made up of hundreds of trucking companies who volunteer their drivers, equipment and time to deliver almost three million wreaths every year to every corner of the country.

It would be great if we could cheer the driver along as he comes through town. As I get more specific details, I’ll let you know!

National Wreaths Across America Day details

Wreaths Across America Day in Webster is Saturday, Dec. 14. The day will begin at noon at Webster Union Cemetery (corner of Rt. 250 and Woodhull) with a short ceremony, after which community members will spread out through Webster Union or head to one of the three other cemeteries to lay the wreaths.

Adults and children of all ages are encouraged to take part in this very moving ceremony. Start a new holiday tradition for your family; it’s a great way to teach your children about how important it is to remember and recognize our nation’s veterans. You can also follow the Wreaths Across America Facebook page to keep up on all the latest news, including updates on the arrival of the Wreaths truck.

To read more about what this moving event looks like, check out this blog I wrote after last year’s Wreaths Across America Day, which includes a whole gallery of photos.  

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 12/6/2024)

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It’s almost time to place the veterans’ wreaths

23 Nov

We’re only three weeks away from Wreaths Across America Day on Saturday Dec. 14, when the Webster community will come together to place wreaths on 2,100 veterans’ graves.

Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization which began 30 years ago, its mission to place a wreath on the grave of every veteran in the country. Last December, more than two million volunteers placed more than three million wreaths at 4200 cemeteries across the U.S. and abroad.

Webster was a big part of that effort. Last December, an estimated 1,000 adults and children, including first responders, veterans and active service members, gathered at Webster Union Cemetery to lay 1,350 wreaths.

It was an impressive turnout which put Webster on the Wreaths Across America map. Out of 235 participating towns in New York State, our little town ranked 9th for the number of veterans honored that day. And out of 6,706 locations nationwide, we ranked 248th. That’s in the top 4% in the country. What’s particularly noteworthy is that we achieved these rankings with only three participating cemeteries.

Local organizers hope the community will show that commitment again next month as Webster joins Wreaths Across America for the third straight year. This year, even more support is needed, because Webster’s Wreaths Across America effort will be expanding to FOUR cemeteries.

On Saturday Dec. 14, volunteers will be placing about 2,100 veteran wreaths — 1,000 at Webster Union, 55 at Union Hill, 736 at Webster Rural and 309 at Holy Trinity cemeteries.

The plan is to meet at noon at Webster Union Cemetery (corner of Rt. 250 and Woodhull) for a military Wreath Day ceremony at noon, after which volunteers will fan out to the other cemeteries and within Webster Union to place the wreaths.

Adults and children of all ages are encouraged to take part in this very moving event. It could be a new holiday tradition for your family and a great way to teach your children about how important it is to remember and recognize our nation’s veterans.

This would be an especially meaningful day if one of your family members is a veteran resting at one of the ceremonies. You can personally a sponsor a wreath for him or her and place it on the grave yourself. If you’d like to do that, email WebsterWreaths@icloud.com with the name of your loved one and your sponsored wreaths will be set aside for you.

Right now, you can help by sponsoring a wreath (or several). Click here to do so. Individual wreath sponsorships are just $17, and $5 from each will go to one of three charities of your choice: the Blue Star Mothers, who will use the funds to prepare and ship care packages to deployed servicemen and women; Gold Star Mothers Rochester who provide meals and support for veterans in need; and the Coats for Kids program sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.

So mark your calendar now for National Wreaths Across America Day, Saturday Dec. 14, and stay tuned for more details. You can also follow the Wreaths Across America Facebook page to keep up on all the latest news.  

And check out this great feature which ran recently on Channel 8, featuring Webster’s local Wreaths Across America coordinator Cherie Wood.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 11/23/2024)

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Wreaths Across America needs our help

20 Oct

I’m pretty sure that by now you’ve all heard about Wreaths Across America.

Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization which began 30 years ago, its mission to place a wreath on the grave of every veteran in the country. Last December, more than two million volunteers placed over 2.7 million wreaths at 3700 cemeteries across the U.S. and abroad.

Webster joined the effort for the first time back in 2022, when more than 300 community members gathered at Webster Union Cemetery on Saturday Dec. 17 to place 650 wreaths. Last year, Webster’s Wreaths Across America participation grew to three cemeteries — Webster Union, Union Hill and Webster Rural — and more than 1,300 wreaths, placing our little town in the top 4% in the country for the number of veterans honored.

But this year it’s going to be even bigger. Holy Trinity Church would like to join the effort. More than 300 veterans are buried there, many of them dating from the Civil War and before.

But Holy Trinity is struggling to get sponsorships for the wreaths they need, and we’re closing in on the deadline to order them. There are so many veterans there who no longer have family members to honor and remember them, and it would be great if our community could come together to help do so.

Or perhaps one of your family members was a veteran and is buried there. You can personally a sponsor a wreath for him or her and place it on the grave yourself. If you’d like to do that, email WebsterWreaths@icloud.com with the name of your loved one and your sponsored wreaths will be set aside for you.

If you can help out, click the link below to sponsor a wreath. The deadline is November 1, so Wreaths Across America has time to make them all. Individual wreath sponsorships are just $17, and $5 from each will go directly to Warm Coats for Kids, through the Knight of Columbus, to provide warm coats for Webster area kids in need.

https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/180352/Overview/?relatedId=180153

Then mark your calendar for Wreath Day, Saturday Dec. 14, and bring your whole family out to help honor our veterans. More details to come.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 10/20/2024)

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Thank you, Webster, for making our 2023 Wreaths Across America effort one of the best in the country

29 Apr

The 2023 Wreaths Across America statistics are in, and we have a lot of be proud of here in Webster.

Out of 235 participating towns in New York State, our little town of Webster ranked 9th for the number of veterans honored on National Wreaths Across America Day on Dec. 17. And out of 6,706 locations nationwide, we ranked 248th. That’s in the top 4% in the country. What’s particularly impressive is that we achieved these rankings with only three participating cemeteries.

These numbers can be attributed to the incredible support from Webster community members, business owners and service agencies. About 1,000 volunteers, including countless veterans, active military and first responders, came out on Wreaths Across America Day on Dec. 16 to place an amazing 1,350 wreaths on veteran graves at Webster Union, Webster Rural and Union Hill cemeteries. (Click here to read the blog I wrote about that day.) Businesses from all over the city have also supported the Wreaths Across America effort all year long — too many to mention here (and I wouldn’t want to leave anyone out).

So this is all great news, but no way is Wreaths Across America Local Coordinator Cherie Wood sitting on her laurels. She’s recruited yet another Webster cemetery to join the effort in 2024 — at Holy Trinity Church — where about 280 veterans are resting. So this year’s wreath sponsorship goal has also been raised to 2,200.

So it’s time for our amazing community to step up again. That’s a lot of wreaths, but if past experience is any indication, Webster will come through again with flying colors.

Individual wreath sponsorships are just $17, and $5 from each will go directly to the Blue Star Mothers, who will use the funds to prepare and ship care packages to deployed servicemen and women (every dollar you donate stays in Webster).

Click here to sponsor a wreath, and thank you, Webster, for your support! And stay tuned as plans for Wreaths Across America Day 2024 on Saturday, Dec. 14 start to come together.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 4/29/2024)

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Veterans remembered again on Wreath Retirement Day

22 Mar

Do you remember National Wreaths Across America Day last Dec. 16? On that day, about 1,000 community volunteers placed 1,350 Veteran Wreaths in three Webster cemeteries: Webster Union Cemetery, Webster Rural Cemetery, and Union Hill Cemetery. It was an incredible outpouring of support from the Webster community, a truly touching ceremony and a moving tribute to our veterans. (Click here to read the blog I wrote about that day.)

For three months the wreaths rested among the grave markers, reminding every visitor of the great number of Webster residents who have fought for our country.

Unfortunately, however, the wreaths couldn’t stay there forever. So last Saturday March 16, a much smaller, but no less dedicated, group of community members collected the wreaths from all three cemeteries and gathered them together in a huge pile at Webster Union Cemetery, where members of the Webster Volunteer Fire Department set them ablaze in a controlled burn. As the wreaths burned, volunteers said a final thank you for honoring and remembering our heroes.

It was a sad day in some respects, as months of nonstop planning and effort went up in flames. But it was comforting to know that, just like on the day they were placed, each time a wreath was removed from a headstone, a veteran was remembered once again.

A total of 55 adults and children participated in the retirement effort. Many thanks to the following groups and businesses who volunteered their time that day: KeyBank in Webster; L3Harris Technologies;  Military Vets Usmvmc NY6 – Finger Lakes; Webster VFW Post 9483; 209th Regiment of Cadets; and Webster Union Cemetery staff members.

Special thanks to MISSION BBQ in Henrietta, Jersey Mike’s Subs in Webster and Mayer’s Cider Mill  in Webster for providing lunch to all the volunteers. (And many thanks to Cherie Wood for the photos.)  

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National Wreaths Across America Day 2024 will be held on December 14, and this year Holy Trinity will be joining the list of Webster cemeteries who will honor and remember our veterans.

This year’s goal for Webster is 2,110 veteran wreaths, one for every hero resting in Webster Union Cemetery, Union Hill Cemetery, Webster Rural Cemetery, and Holy Trinity. Please mark your calendars now and plan to bring your family out to help place the wreaths.

Clearly, lots of wreaths will be needed. In the past, most of them have been sponsored one at a time by community members. Wreath sponsorships for this year’s ceremony are now being taken. Cost is $17, and right now, for every two wreaths sponsored, Webster will receive one free. Click here to find out more.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 3/22/2024)

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Thank you Jersey Mike’s!

10 Mar

Jersey Mike’s Subs continues to do great things for our community. Most recently, our Webster Jersey Mike’s shop presented a check to Wreaths Across America-Webster for $450, which represented the proceeds from a week-long fundraiser held last November.

Wreaths Across America (WWA) local coordinator Cherie Wood said the funds will be used to sponsor 26 veteran wreaths for Wreaths Across America Day 2024 on Dec. 14. And for each sponsored wreath, WWA will give $5 back — or $130 — to the American Gold Star Mothers of Rochester, an organization of American mothers who have lost sons or daughters in the service of the United States. Rochester chapter president Dorothy Reid said those funds will be used to purchase tickets, food and shopping vouchers for an Amerks game for Eagle Star Housing veterans in Rochester and Batavia.

The check presentation was just a small part of Jersey Mike’s ongoing commitment to give back to their local communities. Last year, for example, our Rochester-area Jersey Mike’s shops donated $64,000 to Special Olympics, and this March — their Month of Giving — they hope to top $100,000. You can help by visiting any Jersey Mike’s shop on Wednesday March 27, when 100% of their proceeds will be donated to Special Olympics. All month long they’ll also be offering their customers the chance to round up their purchases, or purchase coupon cards for discounts on future orders:

  • donate $1 and get a $1 coupon
  • donate $3 and get a coupon for a free chip and drink
  • donate $5 and get a coupon for a free sub when you buy another

Our Webster Jersey Mike’s is located at 975 Ridge Rd., in the small plaza across from the former Hegedorn’s. (Pictured above: Webster Union Cemetery president George Baker, Wreath Across America local coordinator Cherie Wood, Gold Star Mothers president Dorothy Reid, Jersey Mike’s manager Andrew Brink and staff member Josh Chatmon.)

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 3/10/2024)

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Webster shows amazing outpouring of support for Wreath Across America Day

17 Dec

The Webster community has done it again.

At Saturday afternoon’s Wreaths Across America ceremony, an estimated 1,000 adults, children, veterans, active military and first responders gathered at Webster Union Cemetery to honor our veterans at the 2023 Wreaths Across America Day, proving once again what a generous and caring community Webster is.

Local Wreaths Across America organizer Cherie Wood was delighted by the extraordinary response from the Webster community, which was about three times the number of volunteers who attended last year’s ceremony, the first held in Webster.

It was that amazing support that allowed Webster’s Wreaths Across America effort to expand significantly this year. Last December only 650 wreaths were placed at one cemetery, Webster Union. This year Webster was able to add to more cemeteries — Webster Rural and Union Hill — where volunteers placed an amazing 1,350 wreaths. And most of those wreaths were sponsored one at a time.

The ceremony began promptly at noon. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem and a moment of prayer, Wood explained how Wreath Day is not just a local occurrence, but was happening at the exact same time at more than 4,200 cemeteries across the country and in foreign battlefields.

“More than four million wreaths will be placed on veterans’ graves today” by three million volunteers, she said, reminding everyone that, “We are not here to ‘decorate graves.’ We are here to remember not their deaths, but their lives.”

Following Wood’s remarks, representatives from each of our nation’s armed services placed ceremonial wreaths in memory of those who served, and those who are still listed as Prisoners of War or MIA. It was especially moving when Dorothy Reid and Grace Allen, from Gold Star families, placed the Army wreath. Dorothy lost her son, and Grace lost her father, in Afghanistan.

Family members of veterans who are resting at Webster Union Cemetery were invited to enter the grounds first to place wreaths on their loved one’s graves, followed a few minutes later by the rest of the volunteers. Wood encouraged each participant to say the veteran’s name out loud before placing the wreath, and take a moment to thank him or her for their service.

She explained,

It’s a small act that goes a long way toward keeping the memory of our veterans alive. Wreaths Across America has a saying: A person dies twice. Once when they take their last breath, then again when their name is said for the very last time. Many of our veterans no longer have family to remember them. Today, we, the Webster community, will become their family. They will not be forgotten. Not on our watch.

After placing the wreaths at Webster Union, volunteers were invited to drive to Webster Rural and/or Union Hill to help place those wreaths.

The heartwarming support from the Webster community has even been noticed by the National Wreaths Across America organization. Many locations struggled to meet their goals this year; the funding just didn’t happen. But here in Webster, in just our second year, we more than doubled the number of wreaths placed and added two more cemeteries. Next year, Wood hopes to add even more cemeteries and more veteran wreaths, until all 3000 veterans resting in Webster are remembered and honored.

I was very proud of my community that day, and I was especially touched by how many entire families attended, involving their children in this solemn ceremony, teaching them how important it is to remember and honor our fallen heroes.

Click here to see an entire gallery of photos. Thank you to Glenn Peck and Rebecca Parzynski for their photos (which I have included in the gallery). If you have any photos you’d like me to add to the gallery, please email them to me at missyblog@gmail.com. (Via text and Facebook they come out too small!)

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Want to help kick-start next year’s Wreaths Across America effort?

Through Tuesday, Jan. 16, The National Wreaths Across America organization will match one-for-one every wreath sponsored. So for just $17, you can sponsor two wreaths for placement at next year’s ceremony, Dec. 14, 2024. Click here to find out more!

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Webster welcomes the Wreaths Across America truck

14 Dec

If you happened to see an 18-wheeler making its way along 250 Wednesday afternoon, escorted by several Webster police cars with lights flashing, you saw the Wreaths Across America truck! It was delivering our 1,360 wreaths, to be placed on veterans’ graves at Webster Union, Webster Rural and Union Hill cemeteries on Saturday.

My regular blog readers know the story about how Webster is participating in Wreaths Across America again this year, but in case you need some background, click here.

WPD officers met the truck at the Roseland Fire Station on Salt Rd., where 660 wreaths were unloaded onto a hay wagon for Webster Rural and Union Hill. Then the officers escorted the truck up 250, through the village, and all the way to Webster Union Cemetery, where 700 more fresh wreaths were unloaded in preparation for Saturday’s ceremony.

I was standing at the village’s four corners as the procession came through town, so I know several people were out watching for it and cheering it along, so thank you very much for that!

Our volunteer driver was Air Force veteran Pat Norrod, from JR Kays trucking in Clarendon, PA. As a thank you, local coordinator Cherie Wood presented him with a gift bag stuffed with snacks, courtesy Wreaths Across America Webster and Blue Star Mothers ROC NY8.

A huge shout-out to the WPD officers who volunteered their time to provide the escort and give the Wreaths Across America truck a memorable Webster welcome: Sgt. Andy Frate, Ashley Lass, Katie Hilliard and Erik Rynders.

It was a great kick-off to what will be a very moving ceremony when the Webster community comes together to remember and honor our nation’s veterans this Saturday Dec. 16. I hope you can join us. Everything begins at noon at Webster Union Cemetery, then continues afterwards at Webster Rural and Union Hill. Find out more details at my blog here or the Webster Wreaths Across America Facebook page.

Here are some more photos from the afternoon:

unloading at Webster Union Cemetery
Webster Location Coordinator Cherie Wood with truck driver Pat Norrod
A look at the procession as it came through the village

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 12/14/2023)

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The Wreath Truck will be here Wednesday afternoon!

12 Dec

Breaking news!

I just learned that the Wreaths Across America truck — carrying Webster’s 1,360 wreaths for Wreath Day on Saturday — will be arriving at the Roseland Fire Station (corner of Salt and Plank) around 1:30 or 2 p.m. this Wednesday Dec. 13.

The truck will be met there by a police escort, drive to Woody Acres Tree Farm to drop off the Webster Rural Cemetery wreaths, then to Webster Union Cemetery to drop off the wreaths for that cemetery and Union Hill.

We’re hoping the 18-wheeler will drive through the Village of Webster to get to Rt. 250, and it would be great to have as many people out there on sidewalks cheering the truck and its special cargo.

The truck is part of the Wreaths Across America “Honor Fleet,” made up of hundreds of trucking companies who volunteer their drivers, equipment and time to deliver almost three million wreaths every year to every corner of the country.

Even if you can’t be there to cheer on the truck, plan to attend this weekend’s Wreaths Across America wreath-laying ceremony at Webster Union Cemetery. On Saturday Dec. 16, community members will gather to lay 1,360 wreaths on veterans’ graves at Webster Union, Union Hill and Webster Rural cemeteries. It’s a solemn ceremony designed to remember these servicemen and women and to thank them for their sacrifices.

The day will begin at noon at Webster Union Cemetery (corner of Rt. 250 and Woodhull) with a short ceremony, after which community members will spread out through the cemetery to lay 700 wreaths. Interested volunteers will then travel to Webster Rural and Union Hill cemeteries to lay another 660 wreaths there.

Click here to read more about last year’s ceremony, and plan to bring the whole family to help out.

Stay tuned to my Webster on the Web Facebook page Wednesday morning for an update on the time the truck will be arriving.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 12/12/2023)

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Wreath Day (and welcome-the-truck day) are right around the corner

8 Dec

National Wreaths Across America Day, Saturday Dec. 16, is almost here.

On that day, community members will gather to lay 1,360 wreaths on veterans’ graves at Webster Union, Union Hill and Webster Rural cemeteries. It’s a solemn ceremony designed to remember these servicemen and women and to thank them for their sacrifices.

The day will begin at noon at Webster Union Cemetery (corner of Rt. 250 and Woodhull) with a short ceremony, after which community members will spread out through the cemetery to lay 700 wreaths. Interested volunteers will then travel to Webster Rural and Union Hill cemeteries to lay another 660 wreaths there.

Adults and children of all ages are encouraged to take part in this very moving ceremony. Start a new holiday tradition for your family; it’s a great way to teach your children about how important it is to remember and recognize our nation’s veterans. Mark your calendar now and stay tuned for more details. You can also follow the Wreaths Across America Facebook page to keep up on all the latest news.  

If you’d like to help, please take a moment to sign up here so organizers have some idea of how many people are coming. (But if you forget, no sweat. Just come anyway.)

Last year, the first year in which Webster joined the Wreaths Across America effort, more than 300 adults, children, first responders, veterans and active service members laid 650 wreaths at Webster Union Cemetery. (Click here to read the blog about that incredible day.) It was an incredible outpouring of support from the Webster community. Even more volunteers will be needed to help out with this year’s expanded effort.

And do you remember when the wreath truck came through town?

The Wreaths Across America truck is expected to arrive in Webster in the next few days, an 18-wheeler traveling from Maine (where the wreaths are created) to deliver our 1,360 wreaths. The plan is for it to pick up a police escort at the Roseland Fire Station (corner of Salt and Plank roads) and then continue to the cemeteries to drop off the wreaths. The truck is part of the Wreaths Across America “Honor Fleet,” made up of hundreds of trucking companies who volunteer their drivers, equipment and time to deliver almost three million wreaths every year to every corner of the country.

It would be great if we could cheer the driver along as he comes through town. As I get more specific details, I’ll let you know!

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 12/8/2023)

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