Wreaths Across America Team Bridgeport has 83 days left to reach its goal. 

 

"If we get 1,575 wreaths ordered (by Nov. 27), we'll have enough to place on the gravesites of each and every U.S. soldier buried at Bridgeport Cemetery," said Team Bridgeport founder, Christa Parker. 

 

Parker, who is passionate about the project and about honoring the sacrifices of those who serve their country, is keeping a close eye on ways to supplement wreaths ordered. 

 

She and her team recently won 100 wreaths through the Pictures of Patriotism Contest in which she entered an image by Danny Leary of the Silver Shutter. Titled "No Greater Love," the picture shows Parker and her husband Master Sgt. Chris Parker at the 2014 funeral of their son, Bridgeport High School graduate, Private First Class Garrett Parker. The photo received 2,579 votes in the national contest.

 

That cuts the goal down to 1,475 and if the next contest goes Parker's way, Team Bridgeport will earn another 75 wreaths. This campaign gives donors a way to boast a little on their home state - or even their favorite state. Once ordering at least one $15 wreath through the Wreaths Across America Web site, an individual can simply comment on the Wreaths Across America Team Bridgeport Facebook page what state he or she is representing. Once all 50 states are colored in the master map, Team Bridgeport gets the free wreaths.

"It's a fun way to get other staes involved and to learn about Wreaths Across America," Parker said. "Friends and family from all over have been donating from their state and others have picked a state if their state has already been colored in."

 

So far, 22 states have been highlighted. In addition to much of the eastern U.S., Alaska, California, Arizona, Montana, Kansas and Oklahoma are represented. Former Bridgeport residents now living in another state have a unique opportunity to support a hometown project by purchasing a wreath for the Bridgeport Cemetery and indicating their state of residence. 

 

There will be a ceremony held Dec. 16 during which the wreaths will be placed on the gravesites and the names of the soldiers read, along with various other military festivities. 

 

Order at Wreaths Across America Team Bridgeport HERE.