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| In concert with hundreds of communities across the nation, students of The Glenholme School participated in a wreath-laying ceremony on Saturday, December 10, 2011 to honor America’s servicemen and women this holiday season. The ceremony, held at Judea Cemetery in Washington, CT, was led by Corporal James Gollsneider (USMC retired) and representatives of the Judea Chapter of The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). |
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| Sheila Anson and Cindy Brissett of DAR shared the inspirational story behind the wreath-laying tradition, begun by Morrill Worcester, owner of the Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine. When faced with a surplus of wreaths in 1992, Mr. Worcester arranged for the extra wreaths to be placed on the headstones of veterans in Arlington Cemetery- a place that had made an indelible impression on him as a twelve-year-old boy. The tribute was quietly repeated each holiday season until 2005, when an image of the wreaths circulated around the web and the project suddenly received national attention. In 2007, a group of veterans and volunteers collaborated with the Worcester family to found the non-profit organization Wreaths Across America (WAA). |
| Corporal Gollsneider highlighted the meaning behind the tradition, stating, “Gatherings like this are not simply a fond remembrance of courage and sacrifice from good citizens. They are a reminder that eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. Our nation was founded on the virtues of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, which became the cornerstones of a new nation. They also became the beacon for the rest of the world and an example for other cultures to examine and emulate.” |
| With those words in mind, the volunteers set out across the cemetery to place the wreaths on veterans’ headstones. As in years past, the wreaths were hand-crafted by Painter Ridge Farm in Washington, CT. One Glenholme student accompanied Corporal Gollsneider to several graves, where, side by side, they honored the veterans – Corporal Gollsneider with a salute and the student with his hand over his heart. |
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| Each year, on the second Saturday of December, the nation pauses to give thanks to those men and women who selflessly fought to protect our freedom. In 2010, WAA and a network of volunteers laid over 220,000 memorial wreaths in 545 locations throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and beyond. The Glenholme community is proud to be a part of this annual salute to America’s veterans. |
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| To see more photos check out out blog at: http://www.glenholmeschool.com |
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