Wreaths Across America Team Bridgeport is in the top running in the Pictures of Patriotism Photo Contest and a chance to win 100 wreaths.

 

Parker sets out to purchase 1550 wreaths in 2017; enough for each and every veteran buried at Bridgeport Cemetery. Winning the Pictures of Patriotism Photo Contest would provide a very nice jumpstart toward that goal, Parker said.

 

“We want every veteran recognized by saying their name and having a wreath placed at their grave this December,” Wreaths Across America Coordinator and founder of the local group, Christa Parker. “If we win this contest, Wreaths Across America will donate 100 wreaths to the Bridgeport Cemetery. That will go a long way toward our goal of 1575 wreaths.”

 

Parker submitted the photo which features her and her husband Chris at the 2014 funeral of their son, Private First Class Garrett Craig Parker. Titled "No Greater Love," the image was captured by Danny Leery of The Silver Shutter.

 

Parker implemented the Wreaths Across America program at Bridgeport Cemetery in 2016. After a nearly one-year wreath drive – during which members of the community were asked to purchase one or more wreaths – a ceremony was held in December during which time wreaths were placed on more than 1,000 gravesites.

 

As of Monday morning, Team Bridgeport had gathered 1301 votes and holding the lead. That could change at any time, said Parker who encourages everyone to place a vote and continue to vote every 24 hours.

 

Vote for Team Bridgeport's photo at the Wreaths Across America Facebook page HERE. (You will need a Facebook account to vote.)

 

New elements of this year's wreath campaign include a Veteran Tree, which features tags representing each branch of the military. The tags which can be selected and a wreath purchased to pay tribute to that arm of the service and honoring our veterans. On the back of each tag is a dog tag bearing step-by-step instructions on how to donate to Wreaths Across America Team Bridgeport.

 

U.S. Army is represented by a soldier; Marines by a globe and anchor; Air Force by a jet; Navy by a sailor hat, Army Air Force by a World War II plane and the Coast Guard by a boat.

 

Also new to the program is year is a toy soldier drive, the brainchild of Parker’s niece, Emmalee.

 

“We have a treasure chest full of toy soldiers, representing each branch of the military,” Parker said. “Take a soldier from the chest and place it somewhere to remind you to pray and never forget those who served our country.”

 

Donations of small toy soldiers can be dropped off at Bridgeport Cemetery, 400 Benedum Drive.

 

Wreaths can be ordered HERE using the code MI0121 to ensure the wreaths will be sent to Bridgeport Cemetery. Wreaths are $15 each. Again this year, for every two wreaths purchased, a third wreath will be added free of charge.

 

Garrett Parker was a 2011 graduate of Bridgeport High School, where he was a member of the Indians football team. He went on to enlist with the U.S. Army, serving on active duty in Fort Benning, Ga. as a member of the A Company, 1/15th Infantry Division. At age 21, he was tragically killed in an out-of-state motorcycle accident.