‘Wreaths Across America’ To Honor Memory of Broome County Veterans

UPDATE: This event has been postponed until January 16, 2021.

In 1992, the owner of a wreath company in Maine was trying to figure out what to do with all of the extra holiday wreaths they had in stock when a genius idea was formed, one that would live on nearly 30 years later. One that would honor America’s fallen heroes.

Wreaths Across America is a national movement in which wreaths are placed on the headstones of our American heroes as a way to honor their sacrifices and remember them during the holiday season. Since 1992, Wreaths Across America has been laying wreaths not only at Arlington National Cemetery but at cemeteries big and small all across America.

My family had the honor of participating in our first Wreaths Across America wreath-laying ceremony two years ago. Not only were we able to lay wreaths on the graves of but we were able to use the event as a way to teach our son the importance of honoring and respecting all who have served.

If you and your family would like to participate in laying wreaths through Wreaths Across America, you are invited to do so during the afternoon of Saturday, January 16. The Twin Tiers Honor Flight invites you to join them at 1:00 p.m. at the Savage-Demarco Funeral Home on Conklin Avenue in Binghamton.

Following a short ceremony at the funeral home, attendees will be invited to visit one of the participating area cemeteries to lay provided wreaths on the headstones of fallen heroes. The cemeteries include Vestal Park, Riverhurst, Riverside Rural, Shawsville, Conklin, Stillwater, Kirkwood, Temple Israel, and Ingraham Cemeteries.  All participants will be required to wear masks and practice social distancing.