HUDSON – The 2024 National Wreaths Across America Day will be held on Dec. 14 to remember, honor and teach by laying wreaths at the graves of veterans at 4,700 participating locations across the United States and abroad.

Volunteers in Hudson have been participating in Wreath Day since 2019. The town’s Wreath Day will begin with the Wreath Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Hills House, 211 Derry Rd. The ceremony will include the solemn presentation of ceremonial wreaths for each of the armed services, the Merchant Marines and POW/MIA as well as two additional wreaths presented by the Knights of Columbus for the several hundred veterans buried in St. Patrick’s and Holy Cross cemeteries where wreath laying is not allowed. Hudson Memorial VFW Post 5791 and Auxiliary is the official sponsor of the event. They will be joined by the Hudson Police and Fire departments, scout groups, HCTV and Historical Society volunteers.

Since this is an outdoor event, warm clothing is a must and a folding chair for those who cannot stand for a half hour is recommended as there is no seating available.

The Hudson Historical Society has graciously allowed Wreaths Across America, Hudson Cemeteries to use their building and grounds for the ceremony since 2022.

ColLocation Coordinator Christina Madden said she appreciates the Society’s help, citing that there is plenty of parking and room for attendees. She said that after the ceremony, there will be plenty of baked goods, coffee and hot chocolate.

Previously, the ceremony was in one of the eight participating cemeteries, but the group quickly discovered that this wasn’t ideal. Parking was a big issue and limited the number of people who could attend. Hudson Cemeteries wants as many people as possible to help them begin Wreath Day because, while everyone would like to place a wreath, there are more volunteers than wreaths. Attending the Wreath Day Ceremony is a very important way to honor our veterans and a way for everyone to take part.

Madden stressed that volunteers have already been registered and assigned to a cemetery for the wreath laying which begins at noon.

“What we really hope is that folks show up for this brief but meaningful ceremony to honor our veterans,” she said. “Most of the Wreath Presenters are either active duty or National Guard members. They volunteer their time and travel to the ceremony. It is important for them to see that we honor and remember those veterans who went before them.”

This year, the 2024 theme is “Live with Purpose,” which is inspired by the volunteers who lead impactful work in their communities. “Work to prepare for Wreath Day begins several months before Wreath Day to make the ceremony and wreath laying happen in a respectful way, according to Madden.

“There is a volunteer Fundraising Chair, Diana Anderson, who takes the donation side of our WAA location and essentially keeps the books and makes sure all donations get to WAA national and that we get credit for them,” she said. “Jack Madden, co-location coordinator, handles keeping the lists of veterans current and arranges for the wreath presenters for the ceremony. Other volunteers place flags at the veterans’ graves for Veterans Day and Wreath Day so the volunteers know where to place the wreaths; some unload the wreath truck when it arrives with the wreaths; some help place the small flags on the ceremonial wreaths; some load up the wreaths on Wreath Day and drop them off at the cemeteries; others hang flags and place signs; others are Location Leaders, each assigned to be in charge of a cemetery on Wreath Day. These volunteers are truly living with purpose. The willingness of people to volunteer for a job nobody sees them do in order to honor our veterans is touching and very encouraging.”

In addition, Madden said the town has been unwavering in its support for this endeavor.

“Without the town’s support, we’d have a much more difficult time holding Wreath Day activities,” she said.

Wreath Day began when in 1992 Morrill Worcester and his business Worcester Wreath Company of Harrington, Maine, had a surplus of wreaths toward the end of the holiday season. Years before as a young boy, Worcester visited Arlington National Cemetery in our Nation’s capital. The experience reminded him throughout his life of the sacrifice some had made in order for others, including himself, to succeed and flourish. Worcester made plans to lay the wreaths in honor of our Veterans at an older, less-visited section of Arlington National Cemetery. Volunteers stepped forward to help deliver and place the wreaths. Photos of the wreath at the graves in Arlington National Cemetery quickly went viral and more and more locations wanted to take part.

In 2007, the Wreaths Across America non-profit group was founded. Since then, the event has expanded to all 50 states and overseas to lay wreaths at veterans’ cemeteries to remember our fallen heroes, honor those who serve and teach our children about the sacrifices made by veterans and their families. Wreaths Across America traditionally lay wreaths on the second Saturday in December.