Wreaths Across America Team Bridgeport Hoping to Meet Goal of 1,600 Wreaths for Bridgeport Cemetery
By Julie Perine on November 05, 2019
Since 2016, service men and women buried at Bridgeport Cemetery have been honored at holiday time through the Wreaths Across America program. Last year’s goal of 1,575 wreaths were placed on the grave sites in remembrance of their sacrifices.
This year, the goal had to be bumped up to 1,600 in order to place wreaths on each former member of the U.S. military.
Christa Parker, who founded the local project, said 536 wreaths are needed to reach that goal.
“Our current count right now is 1,064 and Dec. 2 is the cutoff date to order,” Parker said.
Parker started the program in honor of her son Private First Class Garrett Parker, who died suddenly in 2014. She and her family – including dad Chris, sister Jenn (Hathaway) and brothers Mike and Jacob - have been mindful of ways to boost wreath orders and even win wreaths by participating in contests and challenges and holding fundraisers.
For awareness, Wreaths Across America “Team Bridgeport” has a Traveling Veteran Tree, which has been displayed at various local businesses and city facilities.
“Last week it was at The Starving Artist and this week it is at Main Street Station,” Parker said. “Then, it will be going to Cubby’s Daycare.”
The tree – and team members – will again participate in the Clarksburg Veteran’s Day Parade and the Bridgeport Christmas Parade. Residents who have leftover candy from Halloween may donate it to Team Bridgeport and it will be tossed to parade observers.
“We did it last year and gathered enough candy for three parades,” Parker said.
Candy donations may be dropped off at the business office of Bridgeport Cemetery.
Another way to get involved is to bake desserts for this year’s wreath-laying ceremony.
“When starting your holiday baking, maybe bake a dozen extra for our ceremony,” Parker said. “We’ll have a table set up with hot chocolate and homemade cookies, brownies and cupcakes.”
Store-purchased goodies are also welcome, she said.
Those baked good donations may also be left at the Bridgeport Cemetery office.
“We don’t need those anytime soon, but a week to a couple days before the ceremony,” Parker said.
All are welcome to attend the ceremony, which will be Saturday, Dec. 14, beginning at noon. It will be held in a different section of the cemetery this year.
“Last year, we held it in the second roundabout, but this year we will be between Poplar and Orchard,” Parker said. “There’s more space for people to stand in the grass area.”
Organizers have been working to make the space more conducive to the ceremony which is growing annually. Cars will be parked all facing the same direction to make for a more prompt, convenient exit.
“We’ll also have a buggy to pick up individuals who need a ride from their cars,” Parker said.
Wreaths can be purchased for delivery to Bridgeport Cemetery HERE.
“We are still taking grave requests for those who have loved ones buried at the cemetery and want to place wreaths they donated on the grave sites after the ceremony,” Parker said. “All they need to do is list the name of the veteran or veterans.”
Wreaths are $15 each. It’s important when ordering, Parker said. to indicate “Team Bridgeport” on the order so the team will earn free wreaths. Wreaths can still be ordered after Dec. 2, but they will count on the 2020 order.
Editor's Note: Photos taken during the 2018 ceremony are by Ben Queen Photography.
