800 Wreaths In Havre de Grace Placed For Wreaths Across America

HAVRE DE GRACE, MD — The city of Havre de Grace honored its fallen military members through the Wreaths Across America program. In spite of the coronavirus pandemic, which has prompted state health officials to limit gatherings, the weekend gathering was the largest in the event's three-year history in the city.

It has grown so much that the Joseph L. Davis Post 47 American Legion, which sponsored it, added venues this year.

Wreaths Across America coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at more than 2,100 locations to honor veterans, including at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

After an opening ceremony at Mt. Erin Cemetery in Havre de Grace on Saturday, wreath laying continued at Angel Hill Cemetery and at St. James Cemetery.

"What was even best about that turnout was the number of kids that turned out to lay wreaths," Council President David Glenn said at Monday night's Havre de Grace City Council meeting.

"We actually had two separate events going on at the same time, one at Mt. Erin and one at Angel Hill," Councilman Jason Robertson, an Army veteran, said, noting the organizers were mindful of coronavirus. "We had more attendance at each one individually than we did at any of the events that we've done in the past."

He thanked the community for sponsoring the wreaths.

"With the generosity of the community, we raised a lot of money in a very short amount of time, so thank you — thank everybody," Robertson said.

In 2018, the legion reported it laid 346 wreaths on veterans' graves. In 2019, citizens set out 612 balsam wreaths to honor veterans.

"This year, we were able to do over 800," Robertson said, calling the effort "incredible."

Mayor William Martin gave special praise for Mrs. Alma Orive, "one of the biggest driving forces" of the event.

"The amount of people that showed up was amazing," Martin said. "It's probably one of the biggest crowds we've seen at Angel Hill Cemetery."

The Joseph L Davis Post 47 American Legion is also providing holiday meals for veterans from Dec. 26 to 30, according to Councilman Robertson. The legion is cooking the meals and providing them for veterans and their families on those dates from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The legion is at 501 St. John Street.