Ceremony marks the start of Wreaths across America in Connecticut

Photo By Timothy Koster | Members of American Legion Post 133 present a wreath decorated with the flags of the various branches of the United States military, including the Coast Guard and Merchant Marines, during a wreath laying ceremony at the State Capitol in Hartford, Dec. 9, 2019. The ceremony, held my American Legion Post 133, commemorated start of Wreaths across America - a week long endeavor to lay wreaths on the graves of American service members across the United States, abroad, and at sea. (Photo by Tim Koster, Connecticut National Guard Joint Force Headquarters)  

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, UNITED STATES

12.09.2019

Story by Timothy Koster 

Connecticut National Guard Public Affairs Office

Hartford, Conn. – Major Gen. Francis Evon, adjutant general for the Connecticut National Guard, was a guest speaker at a ceremony at the State Capital, here, to mark the beginning of the Wreaths across America week, Dec. 9, 2019.

Members of American Legion Post 133 out of South Windsor, Conn., who hosted the event, presented a wreath decorated with flags of the different branches of the military, to include the Coast Guard and Merchant Marines, to commemorate the men and women of the armed forces who have passed.

“I’m truly humbled and honored to be able to participate in this event,” said Evon. “On behalf of the governor and lieutenant governor … on behalf of Commissioner [Thomas] Saadi … and on behalf of the over 5,000 men and women of the Connecticut National Guard, thank you for honoring those who have selflessly served their country.”

Wreaths across America Day started in 1992 as a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery and has since grown to include more than 1,600 cemeteries in all fifty states and around the world, as well as a ceremony at sea.

“For the tenth consecutive year, here at the capitol, Wreaths across America has promoted ‘remembering the fallen, honoring those who serve, and teaching our children the value of freedom,’” said Evon. “This past weekend, we recognized Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and the lives lost in the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, and today we’re again reminded of cost of our freedoms and that our freedom isn’t free.”

The Wreaths across America event starts in Columbia Falls, Maine, with tractor trailers filled with wreaths and stops at a number of locations in Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Maryland, and Washington D.C. before arriving for the final event in Arlington, Virginia Dec. 14, 2019.

The annual Wreaths across America escort is scheduled to make two stops in Connecticut. The first is expected to be held at the Old Saybrook High School and the second at St. Ann’s Club in Norwalk. The ceremonies are scheduled to start at 1 and 5 p.m., respectively.

Learn more about Wreaths across America by visiting their website: https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/

• Date Taken: 12.09.2019
• Date Posted: 12.09.2019 17:15
• Story ID: 354913
• Location: HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, US