Troop 500 Lays Wreaths in Memory of Veterans
January 26, 2022
Five girls from Troop 500 in Durham laid a total of 415 wreaths on veterans’ graves at Togus National Cemetery in Chelsea on December 18. The wreath laying ceremony was a part of Wreaths Across America day. Wreaths Across America is an organization that coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and at more than 3,100 other participating locations around the country.
Troop Leader Linda Morris said, “We talked about the event beforehand and what to expect, including things they may see others doing as they laid the wreaths. Things such as praying, saluting, putting a hand over their hearts, and we talked about how they may even see some crying. We told the girls it was totally up to them how they chose to show their respect as they placed the wreaths, but did ask they say the name on the stone. They all had their own way of honoring the veterans and were so respectful while laying a wreath at each stone. I could not have been prouder of these girls!”
After the girls finished laying all of the wreaths, they went on a walk around the cemetery to look at all of what they had been a part of. Morris stated, “They were so shocked to see it afterwards and were so proud of themselves. As they should have been!”
The troop celebrated their job well done by stopping for hot chocolate and cookies on their way back home to Durham.
