Wreaths Across America Makes for ​‘Branford Proud’

Despite the inclement weather on Tuesday, many Branford residents came out to support the Wreaths Across America convoy as it passed through town on its journey from Harrington, Maine, to Arlington National Cemetery.

The convoy was led by Medal of Honor recipient Roger Donlon and his wife Norma. He serves as the Grand Marshal of this year’s convoy to Arlington. Col. Donlon was the first recipient of the Medal of Honor in the Vietnam War.

“We were overwhelmed and very proud when we pulled off Exit 55,” said Dottie Packer. She and her longtime friend and neighbor Pam Bold organized the stop in their home town. Packer is a retired Lieutenant Commander US Navy Nurse Corps, and Bold is a retired Chief Petty Officer, U.S Coast Guard.

“People were at the exit and along Route 1 in groups from two or three. Even the small groups looked forward to seeing the convoy and the wreaths.

Or the group was up to 20 and 25, like the women and men in the Branford Garden Club who got ready to welcome the convoy. The members, along with their friends, were at Lynn’s Deli waving their flags. Dottie and I were both ​“Branford Proud,” said Bold.

Even though it was raining, and the convoy was an hour late because of bad weather in Massachusetts, many people still waited for the arrival.

The convoy included numerous state and local police vehicles from different states, 15 ​“Wreaths Across America” SUVs, which included Gold Star and Blue Star families among others and 11 18-wheelers, each with 5,000 wreaths on board.

Their horns and sirens were blaring, and their lights were flashing all the way from the exit off the highway to both the high school or fire headquarters where they stopped.

The delay of the convoy arriving in town caused the students at the high school, who were going to be at an assembly in the gym to see and hear some of the guests and dignitaries, to leave at the regular time to catch their bus for the ride home.

The program at the high school started with the procession, led by the Branford Fire Department Honor Guard along with the St Mary’s School Fife and Drum Corps. Here they enter the gym.

BHS Student Council officers meet up with Donlon and his wife.

The Branford Music Makers performed America the Beautiful and the National Anthem.

The audience included Gold Star and Blue Star family members who were welcomed and introduced by school principal Lee Panagoulias. Here Panagoulias and dignitaries stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Gold Star and Blue Star families stand for the National Anthem.

Also welcomed were Wreath Across America (WAA) founder Merrill Worcester and his wife Karen Worcester, who is WAA executive director.

Following welcoming comments from First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove and a short talk by Hamlet Hernandez, Superintendent of Schools, wreaths were presented to the high school, the town, the different branches of the service, the police and fire departments, and St. Mary’s School.

Here Cosgrove receives a wreath from Packer (left) and Bold.

Here they present wreaths to Chiefs Kevin Halloran (left) and Tom Mahoney.

St. Mary’s School principal Sr. Annette D’Antonio, MPF, is also presented with a wreath.

The final presentation was the hand-woven quilt given to Medal of Honor recipient Donlon. 

After the presentation, the convoy left the school and drove through the town center and met the units that were at fire headquarters at the ​“pretzel” and proceeded to the Interstate to continue their journey to Arlington. 

It was a memorable afternoon.

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