SAUGUS — As the nation reflects on Veterans Day, the Parson Roby Chapter of the Daughters of the American Republic is urging residents to sponsor a wreath to be placed on a veteran’s grave during its annual Wreaths Across America ceremony.
The ceremony is set for Dec. 16 at Riverside Cemetery and will begin at noon. This year marks the third in a row that Saugus’ DAR chapter will host the event, which is held by chapters across the nation each December. Wreaths can be sponsored at the Wreaths Across America website for a cost of $17 by Nov. 28.
Gail Cassarino, the regent of the Parson Roby Chapter, said thus far 344 wreaths have been sponsored — a number that pales in comparison to the roughly 1,200 veterans buried at the cemetery.
“Some people have today off, some businesses are closed, we all have freedoms today that were fought for,” Cassarino said.
Last year, 360 wreaths were laid at Riverside and an additional 50 were laid at the Old Burying Ground in Saugus Center. With more than two weeks to go before the deadline, it seems the event will likely surpass the scope of last year’s ceremony.
The event typically features a brief ceremony before the wreath-laying, with remarks delivered by local and state officials.
The Wreaths Across America event marks the second major Veterans Day ceremony held by the DAR, as its Field of Flags is currently on display at Town Hall. There, a bevy of flags were planted in front of the building, each signifying a veteran — living or dead.
“Since the American Revolution, our forefathers fought to keep our independence here and they sacrificed a lot, and men and women are still willing to go sacrifice,” Cassarino said. “It means a lot to me… I’ve had a patriot in every single war since the American Revolution.”
