Windsor Journal

Hispanic-American Veterans of CT, Inc. & Daughters of the American Revolution present Wreaths Across America Ceremony on Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 12:00 pm at the Windsor Veterans Memorial Cemetery on East Street in Windsor, Connecticut.

The Wreaths across American Campaign aims to place 7 wreaths during the Christmas season at every cemetery that represents many or all Veterans interred there. The wreaths represent one of the 5 Military Branches, the Merchant Marines and the MIA/POWs.

In this way, we honor, remember and pay tribute to our Fallen soldiers at this most festive and family-oriented of all the holiday seasons.

We are honored, as an organization to be a part of this great tribute and hope that we were successful in beginning each ceremony, this one here in Coventry and ones in both Hartford and Windsor, at one and the same time as should have occurred in all 169 cities and towns throughout the State of Connecticut. That was the goal of the “Wreaths across America” campaign.

Earlier this week, a caravan came through Coventry and Hartford carrying over 10,000 wreaths that were headed to Arlington National Cemetery to be placed for the Christmas Holiday there.

We look forward to continuing this tradition annually for as long as we exist and thank the Daughters of the American Revolution for inviting us to participate in this poignant ceremony.

Special thanks go out to Mrs. Cecelia Messier and Mrs. Fran Into of the Daughters of the American Revolution for all their support and guidance and to the Maine Family who started this beautiful annual program.

Wreaths Across America Ceremony at Windsor Veterans Memorial Cemetery

1) National Anthem – The Accidentals "Accapella" Group - Trinity College
2) Invocation - William A. Crosson, American Legion Post #59
3) Opening Remarks – Lucia Goicoechea-Hernández, Hispanic-American Veterans of CT, Inc.
4) Keynote Speaker – Honorable Denise Merrill, Secretary of the State - State of Connecticut
5) Placing of the Wreaths
6) Taps – Fred Miodowski, Bugler
7) 3 Gun Salute - American Legion Post #59
8) Closing Remarks - John Regan, Commander, American Legion Post #59, Lucia Goicoechea-Hernández, Site Leader
9) Benediction – William A. Crosson, American Legion Post #59