Wreaths Across America Honor Convoy Coming To Branford

By Jack Kramer, Correspondent

BRANFORD, CT – The Wreaths Across America Honor Convoy will make a stop in Branford on December 12th on its way to Arlington National Cemetery where thousands of evergreen wreaths will be placed on the graves of deceased servicemen and women that served in the military.

The stop in Branford will be one of 12 school stops that will be made on the week long trek from Harrington Maine to Arlington. The honor escort is composed of approximately 200 volunteers, including a State Police motorcycle escort, Patriot Guard motorcycle escort, Gold Star families, that lost a family member in service, Blue Star families, who currently have a member serving in the military, Veterans, busses, SUV's and a dozen 18 wheelers.

The convoy is expected to arrive in Branford between 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. It will come off exit 55 onto Route 1 (East Main Street) and head toward the Center. Once at the rotary near the high school (Dunkin Donuts) the smaller vehicles will proceed to the high school for a ceremony limited to students and veterans. The larger vehicles will proceed onto North Main Street to the Fire Department Headquarters where they can be viewed by the public.

After the 30 minute ceremony for the students at the high school concludes, at approximately 2:30 p.m. the units will depart and meet up with the larger vehicles at the entrance to I-95 near Walmart and proceed to their next destination.

The best places to view the entire convoy are considered to be between exit 55 and the rotary near Dunkin Donuts when it arrives and at the 'pretzel' near Walmart when they join together to exit Branford.

"We are honored that the Wreaths Across America Honor Convoy will be making a stop here in Branford for what could be a once in lifetime experience for many", said Dottie Packer a retired Lieutenant Commander, US Navy (Nurse Corps) who along with Chief Petty Officer Pamela Bold, US Coast Guard, (Ret.) petitioners for the Honor Convoy to come to Branford. Both are town residents.

A committee was formed by Lt. Commander Packer and CPO Bold earlier this year. Other members involved in planning the event include, School Superintendent Hamlet Hernandez, (Lt. Col., USMC retired), Branford High School principal Lee Panagoulias, Branford Fire Chief Thomas Mahoney and Branford Police Captain Geoffrey Morgan.

For anyone interested in supporting the Wreaths Across America project contributions can be made to WAA, P.O. Box 249 Columbia Falls, Me. 04623.

PHOTO CAPTIONS

Co chairs Dottie Packer(L) and Pamela Bold in front of a WAA van. They will ride in the convoy to Arlington.

In their active duty uniforms LCDR Dottie Packer (L) and CPO Pamela Bold hold the Wreaths Across America banner on the Town Green.

Members of the WAA committee include L-R Chief Tom Mahoney, Branford Fire Department, Superintendent of Schools Hamlet Hernandez, Pamela Bold, Dottie Packer, BHS principal Lee Panagoulias and Captain Geoff Morgan Branford Police Department

Submitted photos by Bill O'Brien and Dottie Packer