As Christmas Dawns, Red-Ribboned Wreaths Pay Homage To Veterans

East Haven CT

24 December, 2021

5:04 AM

Description

EAST HAVEN, CT —In East Haven cemeteries lie the more than 1,200 graves of the brave who served in the Civil War, the Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, and the Korean and Vietnam wars. And at three sites lay together husbands and wives who served their nation. Stones identifying of prisoners of war, those missing in action, Purple Heart and Bronze Star awarded soldiers were located by a small but dedicated team of volunteers. For the first time, East Haven — with the inspiration and drive of veteran Wendy Bellmore — the town participated in Wreaths Across America. On a cold, rainy Saturday in mid-December, as wreaths were being laid in hundreds of burial grounds across the country, so too were they placed at East Lawn Cemetery. Bellmore, who served for 19 years as an Army corps nurse, spearheaded the effort that began around Memorial Day of 2021. She was joined by the East Haven's Veterans Council, American Legion Post 89, Vietnam Veterans Chapter 484, the Lions Club, and the town. Just after Memorial Day, each Sunday, the Lions Club set up a table for donations at the East Haven Farmers Market. In August, the Wreaths Across America mobile education came to town. Vietnam veterans sought sponsorships for 1,186 known veterans interred in East Haven cemeteries. Over the months and weeks, the families of veterans, neighbors, friends, the community at large, businesses, veterans groups By December, 1,200 wreaths had been sponsored for veterans from the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Bellmore, James Comiskey and Ed Jackowicz walked the cemetery with a group of volunteers to mark off the grave sites for wreath placements. On Dec. 13, the wreaths were placed. "It was a beautiful tribute to all veterans," Mayor Joseph A. Carfora said, adding he could not "begin to name all of the volunteers, and those who organized this event for months, because there are too many." "Please know that I sincerely thank each and every volunteer that made this day what it was," the mayor said. "Thank you to East Haven's veterans and American Legion Post 89 for bringing Wreaths Across America to East Haven. And most of all, thank you for your service." Wreaths Across America in East Haven was realized through the efforts of Bellmore, the East Haven's Veterans Council, American Legion Post 89, Vietnam Veterans Chapter 484, the Lions Club, local businesses, countless volunteers, as well as members of East Haven's public works, police, and fire departments, the Mayors office, and the East Lawn Cemetery superintendent Bill Roberts.