Contributed Photo
Tom Henri with a wreath placed by Ansonia American Legion Post 50.
Ansonia American Legion Post 50 held its own version of Wreaths Across America by placing Christmas/holiday wreaths at veterans memorials across Ansonia.
Wreaths Across America is a combined effort of tens of thousands of volunteers and donors that procure and place wreaths on the graves of veterans in Arlington National Cemetery as well as federal and state veteran cemeteries throughout the country.
“In our own mini-version of Wreaths Across America, we mean to capture the essence of its spirit, which is to remember our deceased comrades during the Christmas and holiday season” said Post Adjutant Pat Henri. “Although placing individual wreaths on Ansonia veterans’ graves would be spectacular, that effort would require approximately 1,800 wreaths which would come with a huge cost in dollars, time and manpower.”
Henri suggests that families and friends of deceased service-members who would like to offer a personal remembrance for their veteran to visit any one of the wreath locations and speak the name of their veteran aloud, as is done when wreaths are placed on individual graves. Saluting is also appropriate.
Wreaths will be at the following Ansonia locations: Veterans Park (next to City Hall), City Hall (front lawn), Woodbridge Avenue Memorial, the green across from the Ansonia Police Department, Pine Grove Cemetery Civil War monument, and the flagpole at the corner of Mary Street and Wakelee Avenue.
Post 50 invites additional wreaths, flowers or other remembrances of one’s own to be left at the monuments located on municipal property. Ansonia Post 50 members will remove all items the weekend after New Year’s Day.
The Legion expressed special thanks to JoAnn Caruso, the store manager at the Stop & Shop in Ansonia, for arranging the donation of the wreaths.
The American Legion Gordon-Visselli Post 50 meets on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM at the Ansonia Armory. New members are always welcomed. It is through our membership that we can participate in activities honoring our military and veterans, have a voice in Congress, and support the youth of our community.
Any veteran interested in joining may contact Senior Vice Commander Mike Heise at 203 – 308-7845.
