The Wreaths Across America programs in Fremont and East Kingston have honored their veterans for 15 years. Wreaths have been laid on their gravesites, and money raised through the sponsorship of those wreaths has been donated to the Liberty House in Manchester and the Veterans Northeast Outreach Center in Haverhill, Mass. Both of these organizations help support homeless veterans.
The Peoples United Methodist Church and the East Kingston Community United Methodist Church have worked together on this mission’s project with the help of residents, libraries, town halls, local businesses, and Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops. Volunteers and veterans’ organizations from surrounding communities have also contributed their time and energy on behalf of veterans.
Other projects that supplement the Wreaths Across America program in the two towns include:
1. Donations of knitted and crocheted hats, mittens, and scarves as well as toiletries, sleeping bags, blankets, quilts, and socks are collected between Veterans Day and Christmas each year.
2. Tables are staffed by volunteers at each election to provide our citizens the opportunity to sponsor wreaths or make small monetary donations to support our homeless vets.
3. Donation jars are also placed in churches, local restaurants and convenience stores.
4. Ceremonies are held on the second Saturday in December in both towns and across our nation to remember and honor our veterans and to teach our children about the importance of their service and the value of our freedom.
5. In the past, we’ve placed gold, blue and black stars naming veterans and their branch of service on a Heroes Christmas Tree. Gold Star Veterans were those who lost their lives in their service to our country. Blue stars represent those who have served or who are still serving, and black stars identify those who were Missing In Action or were Prisoners Of War.
6. Information tables staffed by volunteers in front of Walmart, Ben Franklin and Market Basket gave customers the opportunity to make donations.
7. A grant was submitted and approved by Walmart to purchase shepherd’s hooks from which Fremont’s wreaths are hung at each veteran’s gravesite.
Many volunteers have participated in the past and many are still needed now.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Gerry Tilley at 603-479-0798 or via email at geraldine.tilley@gmail.com. Please let him know how you’d like to help.
Share your opinion with New Hampshire. Letters to the editor may be up to 250 words. Longer opinions of up to 800 words can be emailed to opinion@unionleader.com along with a headshot.
