Wreaths Across America honors veterans’ sacrifice
Dec 13, 2019
A wreath laid at the town green on Dec. 13 in memory of Wareham veterans. Photo by: Nadya Korytnikova
Bob Powilatis of the Friends of the Wareham Veterans Council secures the wreath at the monument across from WCTV and the Congregational Church. Photo by: Nadya Korytnikova
The National Wreaths Across America Day is a part of a program that remembers and honors veterans by having volunteers place wreaths on their graves. Photo by: Nadya Korytnikova
A wreath laid at the town green in memory of Wareham veterans. Photo by: Nadya Korytnikova
The Friends of the Wareham Veterans Council laid wreaths at several town monuments and cemeteries on Dec. 13 in honor of those who served.
The action was inspired by National Wreaths Across America Day, a holiday where wreath-laying ceremonies are carried out at Arlington National Cemetery and more than 1,600 locations across the United States and abroad.
Bob Powilatis of the Friends of the Wareham Veterans Council spearheaded the effort in what he said was an attempt to bring a sense of patriotism and respect closer to home.
“Because of the years of doing Wreaths Across America, last year we had an idea to do Wreaths Across Wareham at the same time in honor of the veterans,” said Powilatis.
The seven memorial wreaths placed at monuments across the town were created by the Garden Club members. The wraths were decorated with a patriotic red, white and blue striped bow as well as yellow ribbon, which traditionally symbolizes "bring our troops home."
Members of the Wareham-New Bedford Lodge of Elks, the Wareham Garden Club, the American Legion Post 220, the Onset VFW Post, the Wareham Historical Society and Eastern Bank Branch in Wareham also pitched in to help lay the wreaths.
