Summer is in full swing, but a local wintertime program is gearing up for its second season. Headed up by Christa Parker, the national Wreaths Across America program was set into action at Bridgeport Cemetery in 2016, culminating with a December ceremony during which wreaths were placed on more than 1,000 gravesites of U.S. veterans.

 

Donations are already being accepted to purchase wreaths for this year’s event, scheduled for Dec. 16. Parker said a goal has been set to purchase 1550 wreaths this year; enough for each and every veteran buried at Bridgeport Cemetery. With year one under her belt, Parker and Team Bridgeport - her army of volunteers - are adding some other elements to this year’s program to help reach their goal. A Veteran Tree bearing tags representing each branch of the military will be traveling to various Bridgeport events between now and December.

“The first location for Team Bridgeport's traveling Veteran Tree will be at the Bridgeport Cemetery, starting this Friday, June 15 through the afternoon of Thursday, June 22,” Parker said. “Come by the cemetery to pick up your military branch tag to donate and help us reach our goal of 1550 wreaths.”

 

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, Parker said.

The Veteran Tree will then travel to Team Bridgeport’s tent at Family Day, to be held 5-8 p.m. Thursday, June 22.

 

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

“There will be 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.