Students of The Glenholme School Join Wreaths Across America in Annual Salute to Our Nation’s Heroes
Washington, Connecticut (PRWEB) December 16, 2014 -- Students of The Glenholme School, a therapeutic boarding school for students with special needs, joined Wreaths Across America (WWA) and the Judea Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in the annual wreath-laying tribute to honor America’s servicemen and women. The ceremony, held at Judea Cemetery in Washington, Connecticut on December 13, was in conjunction with special ceremonies held at Arlington Cemetery and hundreds of cemeteries in all 50 states, along with tributes at sea and on foreign soil.
The wreath-laying ceremony in Washington, Connecticut was led by representatives of the Judea Chapter of DAR, Sheila Anson and Cindy Brissett. James Gollsneider (USMC retired) of New Preston/Marbledale, Robert “Rocky” Tomlinson (USMC retired) of Washington, and Todd Peterson, special speaker and citizen of Washington, also assisted with the effort.
DAR representatives spoke of the Daughters of the American Revolution and told the inspiring story behind the wreath-laying practice, begun by Morrill Worcester, owner of the Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine. Many years ago, when Mr. Worcester’s company was faced with a surplus of wreaths, he secretly arranged for them to be placed on veterans’ gravestones in Arlington Cemetery. The effort continued quietly until 2005 when a wreath-laying image created a social media storm. In 2007, a group of veterans and volunteers collaborated with the Worcester family to establish the non-profit organization, Wreaths Across America (WAA). Today thousands of volunteers across the nation work together with WAA to carry out the tribute to our nation’s heroes on the second Saturday of December.
Following Mrs. Anson and Mrs. Brissett, Mr. Peterson highlighted the meaning behind the wreath-laying tradition. He noted, “The deeds that we honor started with our Declaration of Independence and the 56 men who signed that remarkable document.” He continued, “Two hundred and thirty years later countless Americans have risen to the call to protect their fellow citizen. Today, we pause to thank them all for their extraordinary sacrifice.”
With those powerful thoughts in mind and armfuls of personal remembrance wreaths, the volunteers set out across the cemetery to find each grave marked with an American flag and pay tribute to the veteran who rests there. As in past years, one half dozen special wreaths from WAA are displayed throughout the town of Washington and the wreaths for the ceremony are constructed with exceptional care by Painter Ridge Farm in Washington, Connecticut.
Each year, on one special day in December, the nation and its people pause, remember, and give thanks to the America’s service men and women who gallantly serve in our nation’s armed forces. The Glenholme community is honored to be a part of this meaningful tribute to America’s heroes and honor their service and sacrifice, and the standards they set for the present and future generations of patriots.
About The Glenholme School:
The Glenholme School, a center of the Devereux organization, is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) therapeutic boarding school for young people with high functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders including Asperger's; ADHD, PDD, OCD, Tourette's, depression, anxiety, and various learning differences. The program provides a treatment milieu designed to build competence socially and academically. Our learning environment supports and enhances the ability for young people with special needs to succeed. Devereux is a leading nonprofit behavioral health organization that supports many of the most underserved and vulnerable members of our communities. For more information about The Glenholme School and its program, visit http://www.theglenholmeschool.org/. Devereux Connecticut.
Denise Watson, The Glenholme School — Devereux Connecticut, http://theglenholmeschool.org/, +1 (860) 868-7377 Ext: 213, [email protected]
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