Keohane Funeral Home

Help Wreaths Across America Honor Veterans with a Memorial Wreath for the Holidays

November 1, 2019

As we remember our veterans this month, Keohane is proud to help with fundraising efforts for Wreaths Across America, an annual nation-wide event to remember the fallen, honor those that serve, and teach the next generation about the value of freedom. Help us support Wreaths Across America in their goal to lay a wreath at every one of the 7,300 veterans’ graves throughout all the cemeteries in Quincy.

National Wreaths Across America Day is an annual event to honor fallen soldiers across America. In a coordinated effort, volunteers lay remembrance wreaths across graves at Arlington National Ceremony and over 1400 additional locations across the United States. On behalf of all the veteran families served this past year, Keohane has donated $2,000 to Wreaths Across America in Quincy.

Wreaths Across America Day in Quincy

Opening ceremonies will begin at noon on Saturday, December 14 at Mount Wollaston Cemetery, but participants should arrive by 11:30. The ceremony will last approximately half an hour after which volunteers can go to the cemetery of their choice to lay wreaths. There will be a Cemetery Lead Person at each location to organize volunteers and hand out wreaths. It is a free event and open to everyone.

Opening Ceremonies:

Saturday, December 14, 2019, 12:00pm

Mount Wollaston Cemetery

20 Sea Street, Quincy, MA 02169

This is the second year that the City of Quincy has participated in the nation-wide memorial ceremony. Last December was the first year that Wreaths Across America was held in Quincy, a day in which volunteers gathered to lay a wreath at each of the 3,200 veterans’ graves at Mount Wollaston Cemetery. This year, the goal is to lay a wreath at every one of the 7,300 veterans’ graves throughout all the cemeteries in Quincy, including Pine Hill Cemetery, 815 Willard Street, Quincy, MA 02169.

Coordinator Christine Cugini is excited to expand the program. “After the success of last year, we were challenged to do all the cemeteries in Quincy. This year’s goal is to honor all of the veterans.”

“Last year, we felt it was an excellent way to honor all the veterans and their families that we serve both through our donation as well as the volunteers from the Keohane team and their families who placed wreaths on veteran’s graves at Mount Wollaston,” said Co-President John Keohane. “This year, we’re excited that the program will be expanded to cover every veteran at all the cemeteries throughout Quincy.”

How You Can Help Honor Our Veterans

Whether you know someone who is actively serving; who has served in the past; or you just want to honor the brave men and women servicemembers of our armed forces, please consider volunteering or donating to help. Even a small donation of $15 will cover the cost of one wreath. You can sponsor up to ten wreaths for $150.00. The most popular donation is five wreaths for $75.00.

To make a donation, go to the Wreaths Across America website. To volunteer, email Christine Cugini at [email protected]

History of the Event

In December 1992, wreath maker Morrill Worcester found himself with a surplus of 5,000 wreaths during the holiday season and saw the surplus as an opportunity to pay tribute to America’s veterans. With the help of then-Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine, Worcester arranged for the wreaths to be placed at Arlington National Cemetery. The now annual tribute to our country’s veterans has continued ever since, touching the lives of millions of veterans’ families and volunteers and growing in scope through the years.

In 2017, Cugini, who is a Navy Veteran, participated in Wreaths Across America at Arlington National Cemetery. The ceremony was so moving that she wanted to bring it to the City of Quincy. She reached out to the Veterans’ Services Office and city leadership who gave her the go-ahead.

A new theme is chosen each year to help volunteers and supporters focus outreach in their own communities. According to the Wreaths Across America website, the theme for 2019 is “Everyone plays a part.” In 2018, Wreaths Across America and its national network of volunteers placed nearly 2 million veterans’ wreaths at more than 1,600 locations in all fifty U.S. states, at sea, and abroad.