By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer
Shrewsbury – Fallen military veterans were remembered with a wreath-laying ceremony at Mountain View Cemetery in Shrewsbury despite a weekend hampered by inclement weather. Because of snow and icy conditions Dec. 17, the observance was rescheduled to a mild, but drizzly Dec. 18.
For the third consecutive year, the Victor R. Quaranta American Legion Post 397 sponsored the ceremony in conjunction with Wreaths Across America (WAA). In exchange for a donation to WAA, the post received 27 wreaths to place at veterans’ graves. The local ceremony was coordinated by Commander Fred Russell, and member Ronald Pelletier.
Among the attendees were Selectman Moira Miller; Angela Snell, director of parks, recreation and cemetery; and Adam Costello, director of the Central Massachusetts Veterans’ Service District and commander of the Vincent F. Picard American Legion Post 234 in Northborough.
Shrewsbury was one of 1,228 WAA locations nationwide to place over 1.2 million wreaths. Once again, the largest observance took place at Arlington National Cemetery with 245,000 wreaths placed this year.
In addition to Shrewsbury, other Massachusetts locations with wreath layings included Agawam, Boston, Bourne, Charlestown, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hyde Park, Salem, Swampscott, Topsfield, Wakefield, West Roxbury and Worcester.
