Seacoast Scouts Raising Funds For Wreaths For Veterans’ Graves

EXETER, NH — Scouts on the Seacoast have been busy again creating wreaths not only for sale in both Exeter and Hampton to the general public but, this year, for the graves of veterans.

Troop 323 of Exeter has been working diligently creating wreaths as they did in 2020 to assist the Knights of Columbus after its normal supplier fell through. Last year, the scouts created hundreds of wreaths to assist the Knights with its charity drive. Along the way, the scouts learned a lot about leadership and entrepreneurship. This season, however, the scouts have taken on another endeavor — honoring veterans, too.

Randy Daley, the superintendent of the Exeter Cemetery, read a story on Patch about the scouts’ wreath project and thought it might be a good opportunity to accomplish something he has always wanted to do: rustling up a wreath for every veteran at the cemetery. Daley had been fundraising but, despite the interest, had only been able to raise about half the funds needed to honor the veterans. The scouts’ effort made him think, why not give the kids a call and see if they could help?

Gov. Chris Sununu will be the keynote speaker for the wreath-laying ceremony at Exeter Cemetery beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18.

“The troop always helps the cemetery by putting out flags on Memorial Day and even mapped each veteran’s location as part of an Eagle Scout project,” he said.

Garvin Louie, the troop’s scoutmaster, who was a veteran, having served in the Air Force, thought, “it was a big undertaking,” but talked to the troop and they wanted to give it a try.

In February, the troop began raising funds for more materials, equipment, and space since the challenge would more than triple the number of wreaths needed to be created to 1,500.

Kathleen Kerber, the troop committee chairwoman, said the scouts created a sponsorship program to provide businesses with promotion and advertising for assisting the effort and businesses have responded enthusiastically.

“Since we always encourage the scouts to earn their way, we knew we didn’t want to rely solely on donations,” she said.

The troop passed the halfway fundraising goal a couple of weeks ago but sponsorships are still needed. Visit this link to purchase a sponsorship.

Michael Foy of Foy Insurance, a Tenderfoot sponsor, said, “It was truly an honor to thank those that served and support the scouts in their worthy goal.”

The wreaths, according to Daley, were impressive.

“I’ve seen the first wreath off of the assembly line and it is just beautiful,” he said. “I really appreciate what the scouts are doing for our veterans.”

Wreaths can be purchased online, at this link here, or by visiting the scouts in person at St. Michael's Church at 9 Lincoln St. in Exeter or at Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Church at 298 Lafayette Road in Hampton for the two weekends following Thanksgiving. The Knights of Columbus is also selling trees at both locations.

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