HELP the Historical society honor our towns’ veterans
2024 Wreaths Across America wreaths honoring each branch of the military
The Bristol Hills Historical Society is a proud participant in the National Wreaths Across America Day, when thousands of cemeteries nationwide host wreath-laying ceremonies to honor the nation’s veterans and their families for the sacrifices they made.
On Saturday, December 14, a handful of hardy volunteers braved the chill of a clear, cold afternoon for a brief dedication ceremony followed by a laying of wreaths at the four Bristol and South Bristol cemeteries (Bristol Center, Vincent Hill, Coye, and Wilder) where we honor our veterans individually. They also delivered some surplus wreaths to another Bristol Cemetery, Evergreen at Baptist Hill, that participated in the event for the first time. We thank the sponsors of the more than 70 wreaths that went to the veterans buried in the four Historical Society cemeteries and to the volunteers who paid their respects to each of those veterans individually.
Veterans from all American wars dating to the Revolution are buried in our local cemeteries. With more sponsors and volunteers, we hope in future years to expand our efforts to other cemeteries in our towns. We intend to participate again in the 2025 event, which will take place on December 13.
If you have questions about sponsorship or volunteering, please contact us at bhhswreaths@gmail.com.
Sponsorships purchase wreaths hand-crafted in Columbia Falls, Maine, of all-American balsam and hand-tied with a red velvet bow. Volunteers place a wreath on each veteran’s grave and “say their name” to ensure that the legacy of duty, service and sacrifice of that veteran and their family is never forgotten.
Sign up at the bottom of this page for the Historical Society’s free email newsletter, which will provide updates on this and other Society events. The ceremonies will also appear on our events calendars on this website and on our Facebook page.
The society thanks Bristol resident A.J. Magnan, Commander, U.S. Navy (Retired), for proposing our involvement in this project and for leading it since 2021. Read his 2024 remarks on the purpose of this solemn event here.
Below are more photos from the 2021, 2022, and 2023, and 2024 events. Click on a photo and then scroll through the collection.
