Wreaths Across America to Stop in Old Saybrook, Connecticut

OLD SAYBROOK - It all started last year when Max Sabrin, an Old Saybrook firefighter and Building Official Don Lucas read an article in the newspaper about an effort to appreciate veterans for the sacrifices they have and will continue to make for our country.

According to the "Wreaths Across America" Web site, the organization was conceived when Morrill Worcester won a trip to the nation's capital at age 12 when he first visited Arlington National Cemetery, which for him created a lasting impression.

Later in life, Worcester realized that his success as a businessman was in part a result of values of this nation and the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice.

In 1992, the Worcester Wreath Company had an excess of wreaths at the end of the holiday season.

Worcester, president of the company, worked with Maine Senator Olympia Snowe to have a tractor trailer load of those wreaths placed in Arlington in older sections of the cemetery which sees fewer visitors each passing year.

For the past 15 years, the program has steadily grown to one that is a major U.S. project placing wreaths on fallen veteran gravesites in cemeteries in both the U.S. and overseas.

It now includes a large caravan between 50 to 300 vehicles ranging from jeeps motorcycles, and cars, which goes from Harrington, Maine to Arlington, Va.
Last year, Wreaths across America made a brief stop in Old Saybrook.

The Old Saybrook Fire Department and Old Saybrook High School worked hard to acknowledge the work of "Wreaths Across America," Sabrin said.

In front of the high school which abuts Route 1, a ladder truck with a draped American flag was setup and hundreds of students waved flags and cheered as the caravan drove past.

"They were all touched by the generosity and genuine goodwill that this town showed them. So they wanted to stop here again and everyone in town has pulled together to make Dec. 11 and Dec. 12 a very special time for Morrill Worcester and the 'Wreaths Across America' folks and for those of us in Old Saybrook. This year's special tribute will include all our citizen volunteers, as well as the volunteer fire department, high school, our local Boy Scouts, the Old Saybrook Police Department and the Connecticut State Police," Lucas said.

After making a stop in Groton for a ceremony on Dec. 11 at 4 p.m., they plan to arrive around 5:30 p.m. in Old Saybrook.

The public is invited to watch the caravan make its way down Main Street to lay a wreath at the Veteran's Memorial Town Green next to the firehouse.

Veterans and volunteers will be treated to a dinner at Old Saybrook High School before attending the girl's basketball game at 7:30 p.m. in the gymnasium.
During half-time, "Wreaths Across America" participants and veterans will be formerly recognized.

Sabrin said participants and veterans will stay the night at various hotels throughout town before being treated to breakfast at the school, the next morning, Dec. 12.

At 8 a.m., a public assembly will be held in the gymnasium, which will be attended by Lieutenant Governor Michael Fedele and Attorney General Richard Blumenthal.

Sabrin predicts the caravan will leave the school around 9:30 a.m. when those interested can lineup along Route 1.

Westbrook First Selectman Noel Bishop said he welcomes "Wreaths Across America" as its caravan drives through Westbrook's portion of Route 1 and asks residents to show their support by cheering them on as they drive through.

The caravan is expected to make a brief stop on in Hamden at approximately 11:00 a.m. and another stop in Fairfield at 12:45 p.m.

They plan to arrive in Darien at 3 p.m. and stay the night before crossing the Connecticut/New York border the next day, Dec. 13, at 9 a.m.

"This is the biggest event the shoreline has ever seen. It is the world's largest memorial veteran's parade," Sabrin said, adding that, "Old Saybrook will host the main event of the state."

"Wreaths Across America" wreath-laying ceremonies will take place at various cemeteries nationwide on Sat. Dec. 15 at 12 p.m.

For more information about "Wreaths Across America", visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.com.