AGAWAM - For residents living near Six Flags New England, it was a day of summer-like traffic as several thousand volunteers converged on the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery for National Wreaths Across America Day.
The cemetery is located near the park and the event required several Agawam police officers to help coordinate traffic and parking issues which stretched more than a mile down Main Street and some residential streets.
The Wreaths Across America organization was started by the Worcester Wreath Company of Harrington, Maine in 1992, and helps coordinate the wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery as well as cemeteries across the country.
The annual event is observed on the third Saturday in December and coordinates with local officials to place Christmas wreaths on veterans' graves throughout the United States.
Agawam Mayor William P. Sapelli, who attended the event, said Agawam is humbled and honored to have this ceremony and he estimated 3,000 volunteers and visitors were in attendance. Sapelli, a former superintendent of schools administrator, said it's a good learning experience as Agawam High School students could be seen placing the wreaths on the veterans' graves.
Gina Willette, location coordinator for Wreaths Across America for Agawam, said 7,500 wreaths were distributed among the cemetery. "This is the largest crowd we've ever seen" she added.