On Saturday, a Wreaths Across America ceremony was held at Waterside Cemetery to honor veterans.
Ceremonies were also held in Lynn and Swampscott.
The ceremonies, which took place on National Wreaths Across America Day, were part of a nationwide effort to honor veterans and their sacrifices. This year, more than 4,900 locations across the country participated, with millions of volunteers placing more than three million sponsored wreaths on veteran graves, according to the Wreaths Across America Facebook page.
State Rep. Jenny Armini, who participated in the Marblehead ceremony, reflected on the ceremony’s significance. “The goal of Wreaths Across America is to remember, honor, and teach. It’s a way for the community to take time during this busy holiday season to focus on what’s important — service, honor, love of country and family,” she said.
Armini also praised the event’s organizer, Teresa Collins, noting that the Marblehead ceremony “was unique because [Collins] chose to highlight the inspiring women who have served and continue to serve in our armed forces.”
Collins chose a young Marblehead Brownie to lead the ceremony pledge. Jenn Mangold, the new female rabbi from Temple Emanu-El, laid the Prisoner of War and Missing in Action wreath, and Armini read the Governor’s proclamation. Armini explained that the program was primarily female-led, with the exception of police and fire chiefs.