Waterford participates in nationwide event honoring vets
Waterford — Wreaths Across America, an event recognizing veterans, is happening in New London County for the third year in a row.
The occasion will take place at Jordan Cemetery, 240 Boston Post Road in Waterford. Volunteers will lay wreaths at the headstones of veterans at noon Dec. 14.
According to Dave Anderson, a former Waterford police patrolman and Navy veteran, more than 200 community members gathered to lay wreaths during the past two years, with the goal of laying one at every veteran's grave in the cemetery.
An assortment of civic groups, including Freedom Riders USA, Scouts of America, New London High School JNROTC, the Coast Guard Academy, the American Legion and Waterford and Flanders fire companies, among others, will pass out wreaths.
People can make donations up to Dec. 2 for wreaths at wreathsacrossamerica.org — just search for "Jordan Cemetery" or "Freedom Riders USA."
Thirty volunteers have set out to mark more than 800 graves for wreaths to be placed. Volunteers will again come together in January to remove the wreaths so that the graveyard can be properly maintained.
Anderson wrote in an email that each of the past two ceremonies have "been a truly moving, heartwarming experience, especially to see all the children and youth groups that show up to 'Remember, Honor, and Teach' about the servicemen and women of our community that have served their country and will not yet be forgotten."
"Remember, Honor and Teach" is the mission of Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit organization. Its website says wreath-laying ceremonies will be carried out at 1,600-plus locations throughout the U.S. on Dec. 14.
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