As the semi rolled into town this morning, delivering 1,575 wreaths to Bridgeport Cemetery, school students and city residents lined the streets to provide a warm welcome.

 

At 12 p.m. Saturday, a ceremony will be held at Bridgeport Cemetery as each of the wreaths are carefully placed on the grave of a U.S. military member. Individual purchases, as well as mass purchases funded through our city schools and other organizations, totaled enough to meet the goal –  to receive enough wreaths for every veteran buried at the city cemetery. This is the third year for the local program and the first year the goal has been met.

 

Organizer and Wreaths Across America Team Bridgeport founder Christa Parker is quite pleased and extends her appreciation to the Bridgeport community.

 

“Without our community, family and friends, we wouldn’t be able to honor all our veterans,” she said.

 

Starting at noon sharp on Saturday, the ceremony will be emceed by Brad Ford. Providing special music will be Emma Guthall, who will sing the National Anthem, and Emma Davidson, who will sing “Amazing Grace.” Parker’s great-niece Mackinzee Autry will open the ceremony with prayer and Pastor Robin Ray of Bridgeport Presbyterian Church will bless the wreaths. Area Color Guard will participate and there will be trumpet music by Susie Woods.

 

Many of the wreaths have been purchased to honor a specific living or deceased veteran. Those tributes will be read during the ceremony and in many cases, placed on gravesites by family members.

 

Parker is quite passionate about the program and was inspired to start it here locally after losing her son, Private First Class Garrett Parker, a graduate of Bridgeport High School.

 

Editor's Note: See photos by Ben Queen Photography of the arrival of wreaths Friday morning HERE. Video featuring the truck passing by Johnson Elementary, Bridgeport High and Bridgeport Middle schools is courtesy of Trina Runner.