NORTHBOROUGH – Susan Welton is participating in Wreaths Across America for her husband, who served during the Vietnam War, and all of the other veterans in town.
“It’s amazing to bring the community together,” she said. “People have come out of the woodwork.”
During the Northboro Junior Woman’s Club craft fair, Vietnam veterans came up to Welton, thanking her for helping to bring Wreaths Across America to Northborough.
“If I can bring a smile to someone’s face like that — absolutely. The community has been phenomenal, absolutely phenomenal,” said Welton.
In 2017, Welton and Martha Michalewich were part of a group that traveled to Arlington National Cemetery for the Wreaths Across America event. Michalewich said that it was so moving that they have subsequently gone to other events, including at Boylston last year.
“We were walking away from Boylston and Susan said, ‘I would love to do this in Northborough,’ and I said, ‘Why don’t we?’” Michalewich recalled.
Michalewich and Welton are members of the Northboro Junior Woman’s Club. The club partnered with Boros Cares 4 Troops and the Vincent F. Picard American Legion Post 234 on the project.
According to BC4T founder Karen Brewster, the organization had been considering participating in Wreaths Across America for years. Northborough had previously been a pitstop in the annual truck convoy, said BC4T founder Michelle Gillespie.
“It was very moving just to see the trucks,” she said.
When Welton approached Brewster about partnering for the project, Brewster said they were on board.
“We try to do as many veterans affairs and functions as possible. Anything that Karen comes up with, we’re usually behind her,” said Post 234 Commander Edgar Blanchette.
This fall, the groups began publicizing the program, and Michalewich said it’s going “magnificently.” According to Northborough’s official Wreaths Across America page, 952 wreaths have been sponsored, which is 19% over their goal of 800 wreaths. If more wreaths are sponsored than there are graves, they will be able to bank the contributions for next year, said Michalewich.
On Dec. 14 in Howard Street Cemetery at noon, the wreaths will be laid on veterans’ graves. Only wreaths through Wreaths Across America can be placed that day. Participants will be able to park at Zeh Elementary School and Church of the Nativity. They invite community members to help lay wreaths. Volunteers will also be needed to help pick them up in January. Wreaths can still be sponsored by visiting https:// www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/180924/Overview/?relatedId=180921.
Wreaths can be purchased through Dec. 3.. Wreaths can be purchased through Dec. 3.
