Community members place wreaths on headstones to honor veterans in PI

Upward Bound student Molly Irwin places a wreath beside the grave of a veteran during the Wreaths Across America ceremony held at Fairmount Cemetery in Presque Isle on Dec. 16. To the right of Molly are her father Matt Irwin, wearing hat, and state Rep. Trey Stewart, R-Presque Isle. (Melissa Lizotte)

A group of about 20 community members, including members of Boy Scout Troop 171, students from UMPI’s Upward Bound program and state Rep. Trey Stewart, came together at Fairmount Cemetery in Presque Isle on Saturday to be part of Wreaths Across America, a nationwide holiday tradition honoring veterans.

Calvin Hall, member of the Lunar Chapter 126 of Order of the Eastern Star and TRiO college access advisor for Talent Search and Upward Bound at UMPI, led the group in placing 68 Christmas wreaths beside the headstones of local veterans.

Before walking across the street from the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce parking lot to the cemetery, Hall gave everyone instructions on how the special ceremony would proceed. Each person was to say the name of the soldier listed on the headstone and their branch of the military, if clearly written, before placing the wreath. Each then was to say, “Thank you for your service” and stand in silence for a moment to honor the veteran.

“We’re here to recognize the veterans who have passed away and those who are still here for their sacrifices in keeping this country free,” Hall told the crowd at Fairmount.  “Today we are reminded that freedom is never free and that there is still patriotism to be kept alive in this country.”

The Order of the Eastern Star is the world’s largest fraternal organization for both women and men whose purpose is to “promote fellowship, engage in charitable activities and assist our members and communities in service projects.” Every year Lunar Chapter 126 participates in service projects related to honoring military servicemembers and veterans.

Upward Bound student Molly Irwin placed a wreath in honor of her great-grandfather, who served in Germany during World War II as a colonel in the Air Force. Irwin is a freshman at Presque Isle High School.

“It’s really nice to be able to honor the veterans who fought for our freedom,” she said.

Molly’s father Matt Irwin also expressed gratefulness for being able to participate in Saturday’s ceremony.

“Veterans have given so much, including their lives, to defend what we have, so it’s important that we recognize their commitment to their community and country,” Matt Irwin said.

Wreaths Across America is a national nonprofit organization whose beginnings trace back to 1992 when Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, donated 5,000 wreaths to an older section of Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia that began to receive less foot traffic. Worcester’s tradition gained national media attention in 2005 when photos of the Arlington headstones adorned with wreaths circulated on the internet.

Within the next few years, thousands of volunteers from across the country lent their support and help to transport and place more wreaths at Arlington and at cemeteries in communities around the nation. The U.S. Congress designated Dec. 16 as National Wreaths Across America Day in 2008.

Organizers estimate that 200,000 wreaths were placed at headstones in Arlington over the weekend and that a total of 1.2 million wreaths will be placed on markers in honor of veterans in 1,238 locations across the country this season.