In its inaugural year, Marblehead’s Wreaths Across America was able to raise nearly 630 wreaths to lay on the graves of veterans in 2022. Just one year later, it has more than tripled that amount ahead of its second annual celebration, which will be held Saturday, Dec. 16 at Waterside Cemetery at noon.
Wreaths Across America is a national organization which sets out to ”remember the fallen. Honor those who serve. Teach the next generation the value of freedom.” Each year, thousands of cemeteries participate in the laying of wreaths on veterans’ graves on National Wreaths Across America Day.
As of Monday, a total of 2,231 wreaths had been sponsored at $17 each, soaring over last year’s total.
Marblehead’s participation was started last year by Dispatcher Teresa Collins. She had been a part of the organization for nearly a decade, following the organization’s annual convoy on her motorcycle as an escort from Maine to Massachusetts before hopping off as it made its way to Arlington National Cemetery.
She then became involved with the Greenlawn Cemetery Wreaths Across America event in Salem. After its organizer moved out of state, the event in Salem came to a halt. Afterward, she decided that it was time for Marblehead to join, and National Wreaths Across America Day is now officially recognized in town.
“I needed something, I wanted something to bring people together,” Collins said. “I said ‘This is Marblehead, Mass., let’s start it here.”
Not only did Collins get it started, but Wreaths Across America Marblehead has already begun to flourish.
Calling her “the godmother of Marblehead’s Wreaths Across America,” Robin Russell praised Collins for the work she has done to make this a yearly tradition in town.
“Without her, none of this would ever have happened,” Russell said. “Her passion for this project is immeasurable.”
Collins thanked the community, especially the many small businesses in town that contributed donations, for their “overwhelming support and awareness” for the organization and helping to honor fallen heroes during the holidays.
“I know how hard this economy is for little mom and pop businesses here in town, and for them to donate and get behind our mission and support it was really the most heartwarming,” Collins said.
On Wednesday, volunteers gathered at the cemetery before dawn to help unload the thousands of wreaths and prepare them for Saturday’s ceremony.
Of the 2,231 wreaths sponsored, 24 ceremonial wreaths will be laid on Saturday. During the ceremony at Waterside, five of those wreaths will be placed by veterans representing the Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marines. From there, the remaining 19 wreaths will be laid at various military monuments and memorials around town.
“Fellow veterans and their families are very proud that Marblehead is participating in Wreaths Across America,” Russell said. “As a veteran myself, I am honored to be a part of this endeavor.”
A number of events were held in advance to help raise money for wreath sponsorships, including fundraisers at the Marblehead VFW Post and the Beacon.
After the wreath ceremony, the VFW will hold a celebration of the volunteers and donors who helped make the wreath-laying possible. The event will be free, open to the public, and include live music and food from 2 to 6 p.m. Anyone who served or knows a veteran and other community members are all welcome to join.