Across the country on Saturday, thousands of people gathered at veterans cemeteries and memorials to place Christmas wreaths beneath the headstones of those who served. In Presque Isle and Mapleton, many local residents contributed their own time to the Wreaths Across America holiday tradition.
In Presque Isle eight members of Boy Scout and Cub Scout Troop 171, their parents and volunteers from Lunar Chapter 126 of Order of the Eastern Star, a fraternal organization, gathered at Fairmount Cemetery at noon to place 27 wreaths next to the headstones at the veterans’ burial site.
Calvin Hall, member of Lunar Chapter 126 and an Eagle Scout, spoke to the Cub and Boy Scouts beforehand about the importance of them honoring veterans through their service work as Scouts.
“There are lyrics to a song called ‘Glorious’ that say, ‘I heard you die twice, once when they bury you in the grave / And the second time is the last time that somebody mentions your name,’” Hall said, referencing the song by the American rapper Macklemore. “That’s why after you place a wreath you’ll say the veteran’s name aloud and then say ‘Thank you for your service.’”
Twelve-year-old Caleb Green, one of the oldest members of Boy Scout Troop 171, said that Wreaths Across America gave him a way to honor the veterans of his family — his uncle, who is buried at Fairmount, his grandfather and great-grandfather.
“It’s important that we pay them back for the risks they took for us,” Green said.
His fellow Boy Scout Chase Plourde, 12, also considered Wreaths Across America to be one of the troop’s most important service projects for the year.
“We’re paying respect for people who fought for our freedom,” Plourde said.
At Southside Cemetery in Mapleton members of Maine Agri Women hosted a ceremony in which around 200 people, including local veterans and their families, attended. After a moment of silence in honor of all deceased veterans, students from Loring Job Corps in Limestone performed the color guard. Guests then stood for the pledge of allegiance and the national anthem, the latter performed by Jacob Graham of Mapleton.
Local veterans from all branches of the military — Ray Gauvin and Larry Audet, U.S. Army; Scott Smith, U.S. Marine Corps; Charlie Currier, U.S. Navy; Evan Richards, U.S. Air Force; Greg Cousins, U.S. Coast Guard and James Nelson, U.S. Merchant Marines — were the first to lay wreaths beside the headstones of veterans followed by Mitch Wheeler, who laid wreaths in honor of all U.S. service members missing in action or prisoners of war.
Attending veterans and their families were invited to place wreaths after a performance of “Taps” from Presque Isle Middle School student Christopher Nelson.
“We are gathered as one nation to Remember, Honor, and Teach. We are all proud to be Americans that live in a free society,” said Judy Kenney, a member of Maine Agri Women. “The freedoms we enjoy today have not come without a price. Lying here before us and in cemeteries throughout this nation are men and women who gave their lives so that we can live in freedom and without fear.”
