Wreaths Across America honors Bridgeport veterans

Laying a wreath on a veteran's grave is a traditional way to honor their service and memory.

Wreaths Across America helps to raise money in order to make sure all veterans are honored.

Christa Parker, the team leader for the Bridgeport chapter of the organization, became involved in the cause after the loss of her oldest son.

"A friend of mine had posted on Facebook when donations had started bring collected for Grafton cemetery" said Parker "And I sent her a message and said 'How do I get Garrett a wreath?'"

After volunteering with the organization in the state's national cemetery, Parker discovered she could open her own chapter in Bridgeport, where her son is buried.

"And then I found out that it doesn't have to be a national cemetery, it can be any cemetery that has veterans," Parker said "so I took it and went to the city and asked if I could do it, and I got the go and we're on year number three,"

For the past two years, the Bridgeport chapter has used a traveling veteran's Christmas tree to spread the word and collect donations.

Bridgeport High School and Simpson Elementary school also joined in this year to raise money for wreaths.

With the help of the community, the Bridgeport chapter was able to reach this year's goal.

"We have 1,575 wreaths coming this year," said Parker "All veterans buried in the Bridgeport cemetery this year will get a wreath,"

Parker says having wreaths across america active in the community is important not just for the veterans families but also for teaching younger generations.

"Wreaths Across America's motto is honor, remember and teach," Parker said "And that last one, teach, is to teach our children about our veterans,"

While some children grow up with veterans in their family, for others it is organizations like this that help them understand who veterans are.

"We had the Pee Wee football team come up to place the flags on veteran's graves for veteran's day. And one of the little boys told his mom, 'I don't know what a veteran is', and she took that as a learning tool and explained to him what a veteran was," Parker said

The official wreath laying ceremony will take place in Bridgeport cemetery on Saturday December 15th at noon, during which 140 names of veterans will be read aloud followed by a ceremonial wreath laying.

There will be prayers, singing, and music honoring those who served and were lost.

All members of the public are invited to attend the ceremony. You can find more information on the group's Facebook page.