By Cliff White
Staff Writer
Wreaths Across America, an event where thousands of wreaths are brought from Harrington to Virginia’s Arlington National Cemetery, now has a local option for those wishing to honor veterans without making the long trip south.
For the first time, Wreaths Across America has organized the participation of local ceremonies in coordination with those taking place at Arlington National Cemetery. Buxton’s Tory Hill Cemetery will play host to one such event, which will take place at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15. Wreaths will be presented to honor each branch of the armed forces, as well as prisoners-of-war and those missing-in-action. The event’s keynote speaker will be Gen. Stephen Nichols.
“It’s a time to reflect upon our veterans and show them the appreciation they deserve,” said cemetery board of directors member Chad Poitras. “It’s a patriotic event – a good opportunity to show our veterans the support of the town of Buxton.”
South Buxton (Tory Hill) Cemetery Assocation President Sandy Atkinson said he was looking forward to the event.
“We got in on the tail-end of organization because we didn’t hear about the possibility of local participation until August. So we didn’t have much time to get the word out to local people in the area,” said Atkinson. “Still, we’ve had a tremendous response and ended up with 132 wreaths, which we will be laying on veterans’ gravesites.”
 Poitras, who helped organize the event, said he hopes to have at least 50 people present at the ceremony.
“We hope to have a wide range of organizations represented, including the Masons, the Girl and Boy Scouts, and Rolling Thunder,” said Poitras. “But we’re going to try to keep the ceremony short because the weather may be cold on Saturday.”
Poitras said in addition to the presentation of the wreaths and Nichols’ speech, a moment of silence will be held at noon in conjunction with every other participating cemetery across the nation, including Arlington. The program should end by 12:30 p.m., Poitras said.
Joe Armstrong, president of the Maine chapter of Rolling Thunder, a group that works to raise appreciation of veterans, said his organization alone hoped to have 30 people at the event.
“Remembering those who fought for our country’s freedom is a role we take very seriously and treat with a great deal of respect,” Armstrong said.
Wreaths Across America began 15 years ago when the Worcester Wreath Compnay, located in Harrington, began a tradition of placing wreaths on the headstones at Arlington National Cemetery. In past years, the company has donated more than 75,000 wreaths to the cause. This year, the company has dedicated 10,000 wreaths to Arlington, as well as an additional 4,300 to other locations, including 24 veterans cemeteries on foreign soil, aboard U.S. ships sailing in all seven seas, and at each state capitol as well as the National Capitol in Washington, D.C.
The wreaths will be driven down to Arlington in an extended parade, escorted along the entire 750-mile route by the Patriot Guard Riders, a group similar to Rolling Thunder in purpose. The seven-day trip, running Dec. 9 through Dec. 15, includes stops in Falmouth, Portland Scarborough, Old Orchard Beach and Wells.
“The first year the did it they had about 300 people show up,” Atkinson said. “Now, thousands of people show up. But last year they decided it might be nice to have the program extend all across the country, and there was quite a response of interest. This year more than 230 cemeteries are participating.”
Atkinson said the Tory Hill Cemetery is a fitting place to honor America’s servicemen and women, as there are  veterans stretching back to the French and Indian War buried there. The cemetery is listed on the national registry of historic places.
“The people of Buxton have been very generous with their donations in helping keep the cemetery in good condition,” Atkinson said. “I’m proud of this cemetery, and of its participation with this cause. It’s important in that we are representing the state of Maine with our participation.”
Armstrong said an important reason Rolling Thunder was participating in the event was to represent and honor the sacrifice of Maine troops who have fought for freedom, both in days past and today.
“Maine has sacrificed a great deal,” Armstrong said. “And we just lost another young man from Lee. It saddens me beyond belief every time we lose a young man or woman, and you can never honor those sacrifices enough.”
For more information on the event, call 590-0537. To learn more about Wreaths Across America, visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.com.