Wreaths Across America To Visit Flanders Elementary School

A Press Release from Flanders Elementary School

A convoy for the nonprofit organization Wreaths Across America (WAA) will make a stop at Flanders Elementary School on December 11th on its way to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

WAA, whose mission is to bring wreaths to veterans’ cemeteries throughout the United States, will begin the Connecticut convoy in Harrington, Maine and end in Arlington.  The route through Connecticut will also include stops at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and the USS Nautilus Museum, among others.  

After arriving at Flanders at approximately 9:15 a.m., representatives of WAA will participate in an assembly for students on the importance of honoring veterans.  They will be presenting wreaths to local Gold Star Families who have lost an immediate family member in conflict.

“We are so incredibly honored to have Wreaths Across America make a stop at Flanders School,” says Robin Soule, a third-grade teacher at Flanders Elementary who has played a key role in organizing the visit.  “It is humbling to be able to pay our respects to the local Gold Star Families as their family members are recognized for making the ultimate sacrifice.”

The initial inquiry about a possible WAA stop at Flanders was made in late October as teachers were discussing how to make Veterans Day more meaningful for students. Despite the event taking place after Veterans Day, teachers feel that honoring our veterans and two local Gold Star Families will be a valuable and memorable learning experience.

WAA was formed in 2007 as an expansion of Maine businessman Morrill Worcester’s annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.  WAA now brings thousands of wreaths to locations throughout the country each year, and its annual Maine to Virginia trip is known as the world’s largest veterans’ parade.  Since 2008 Congress has recognized a day in December as “Wreaths Across America Day;” this year, it will take place on December 14.

For more information about the program, visit http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/ 

For more information about the visit to Flanders School contact: robin.soule@eastlymeschools.org