Veterans gather in Kennebunk for wreath ceremony (Printed Dec. 21, 2007)
By Ashley St. Michel
Staff Writer
Tina Ambrose of Kennebunk clutched her granddaughter, Regan Ambrose, on the corner of Route 1 and Summer Street in downtown Kennebunk. Ambrose smiled as her husband presented a wreath on behalf of the United States Army to the Wreaths Across America ceremony Dec. 15 at Kennebunk’s Veteran Memorial Park to celebrate and remember the lives of those who have served or currently serve in the United States armed forces.
“This has been important because there are people I know serving in the Army right now and those who served with me who are remembered here,” Skip said and kissed his granddaughter on the check.
The ceremony is one of many that have taken place throughout December as part of the Wreaths Across America which began after a 12-year-old Bangor Daily News paper boy, Morrill Worcester won a trip to Washington D.C. and the Arlington National Cemetery more than 25 years ago. Years later, in 1992, when Worcester’s wreath company in Harrington found themselves with an excess of wreaths, Worcester decided to donate the wreaths to the Arlington National Cemetery in an effort to give back to veterans. Worcester contacted Sen. Olympia Snowe and made arrangements for the wreaths to be placed in the cemetery. Every year, volunteers from local American Legions and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Posts decorate each wreath with red, hand-tied bows.
Kennebunk Ceremony Moderator Kenneth Kingsley, a Vietnam Veteran of VFW Post 6548 in Kennebunk, who served from 1967 to 1968, called the Wreaths Across America project “a dream.”
“This was one little boy’s dream, to contribute back to the veterans and remember them and thank them and it was made possible through these donations,” he said.
The ceremony began at noon, with a moment of silence after the flag carriers saluted the small crowd. Kingsley read from a written statement which outlined the importance of the day.
“We shall not forget, we will always remember,” Kinglsey said. “We are here to remember. We honor them and their families. We owe them our life, this moment is time well spent.”
Kingsley said children today understand their freedoms but sometimes forget how those freedoms were acquired.
“I’m free, but it came with a cost,” he said.
Ray Morin of Wells said the ceremonies of Wreaths Across America have been a great way to show appreciation.
Kennebunk Town Manager Barry Tibbetts joined the small crowd, which huddled closely as they listened to Kingsley’s speech. Tibbetts took a moment to thank the group for their support and Kingsley for organizing the event.
Seven ceremonial wreaths were placed to remember those who gave their lives in service including the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and POW/MIA. The ceremony marked the 16th anniversary donations from Maine that decorated the graves in Arlington.
Kingsley said remembering and celebrating the lives of those who have died in the armed forces is important this time of year because a lot of men and women are going to be overseas through the holidays and won’t be able to see their families.
“There are men over there who are fighting right now for us, so we can enjoy the holidays,” he said.
Kingsley and VFW Post 74 of Kennebunk, began planning the event in October. Kingsley said he was honored Post 74 was able to have people from each branch represented by the wreaths donated.
Biddeford Ward 5 City Councilor Bob Mills was also present at the event and expressed his joy with the participation of Kennebunk, and other towns in southern Maine including Old Orchard Beach, in the Wreaths Across America campaign. Mills said sometimes people forget what freedom means.
“The loss of life is a part of war and people need to recognize that,” Mills said. “It is important people remember servicemen, even if they are against the war they shouldn’t hold that against the veterans.”
Biddeford’s District 11 Post Commander Richard Giroux, who served 20 years in the United States Army joined Mills for the ceremony and was honored to present the Merchant Marines wreath for the ceremonies, he said.
“The men and women serving our country are overseas and they really are helping families just like ours over there,” Giroux said. “People are concentrated too much on the negative when there is all this positive.”
Mills agreed with Giroux.
“They are over there giving people hope and I think a lot of that is forgotten,” Mills said.
The ceremony concluded with the national anthem and atrumpet performance of the song “Taps,” a well known song played at most veterans funeral services.
Any business or VFW Post interested in joining the Wreaths Across America campaign can join by logging onto the Web site, www.weaths-across-america.org.
To contact Ashley St. Michel, call 282-4337 ext. 228 or email news@kennebunkpost.com.
Staff Writer
Tina Ambrose of Kennebunk clutched her granddaughter, Regan Ambrose, on the corner of Route 1 and Summer Street in downtown Kennebunk. Ambrose smiled as her husband presented a wreath on behalf of the United States Army to the Wreaths Across America ceremony Dec. 15 at Kennebunk’s Veteran Memorial Park to celebrate and remember the lives of those who have served or currently serve in the United States armed forces.
“This has been important because there are people I know serving in the Army right now and those who served with me who are remembered here,” Skip said and kissed his granddaughter on the check.
The ceremony is one of many that have taken place throughout December as part of the Wreaths Across America which began after a 12-year-old Bangor Daily News paper boy, Morrill Worcester won a trip to Washington D.C. and the Arlington National Cemetery more than 25 years ago. Years later, in 1992, when Worcester’s wreath company in Harrington found themselves with an excess of wreaths, Worcester decided to donate the wreaths to the Arlington National Cemetery in an effort to give back to veterans. Worcester contacted Sen. Olympia Snowe and made arrangements for the wreaths to be placed in the cemetery. Every year, volunteers from local American Legions and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Posts decorate each wreath with red, hand-tied bows.
Kennebunk Ceremony Moderator Kenneth Kingsley, a Vietnam Veteran of VFW Post 6548 in Kennebunk, who served from 1967 to 1968, called the Wreaths Across America project “a dream.”
“This was one little boy’s dream, to contribute back to the veterans and remember them and thank them and it was made possible through these donations,” he said.
The ceremony began at noon, with a moment of silence after the flag carriers saluted the small crowd. Kingsley read from a written statement which outlined the importance of the day.
“We shall not forget, we will always remember,” Kinglsey said. “We are here to remember. We honor them and their families. We owe them our life, this moment is time well spent.”
Kingsley said children today understand their freedoms but sometimes forget how those freedoms were acquired.
“I’m free, but it came with a cost,” he said.
Ray Morin of Wells said the ceremonies of Wreaths Across America have been a great way to show appreciation.
Kennebunk Town Manager Barry Tibbetts joined the small crowd, which huddled closely as they listened to Kingsley’s speech. Tibbetts took a moment to thank the group for their support and Kingsley for organizing the event.
Seven ceremonial wreaths were placed to remember those who gave their lives in service including the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and POW/MIA. The ceremony marked the 16th anniversary donations from Maine that decorated the graves in Arlington.
Kingsley said remembering and celebrating the lives of those who have died in the armed forces is important this time of year because a lot of men and women are going to be overseas through the holidays and won’t be able to see their families.
“There are men over there who are fighting right now for us, so we can enjoy the holidays,” he said.
Kingsley and VFW Post 74 of Kennebunk, began planning the event in October. Kingsley said he was honored Post 74 was able to have people from each branch represented by the wreaths donated.
Biddeford Ward 5 City Councilor Bob Mills was also present at the event and expressed his joy with the participation of Kennebunk, and other towns in southern Maine including Old Orchard Beach, in the Wreaths Across America campaign. Mills said sometimes people forget what freedom means.
“The loss of life is a part of war and people need to recognize that,” Mills said. “It is important people remember servicemen, even if they are against the war they shouldn’t hold that against the veterans.”
Biddeford’s District 11 Post Commander Richard Giroux, who served 20 years in the United States Army joined Mills for the ceremony and was honored to present the Merchant Marines wreath for the ceremonies, he said.
“The men and women serving our country are overseas and they really are helping families just like ours over there,” Giroux said. “People are concentrated too much on the negative when there is all this positive.”
Mills agreed with Giroux.
“They are over there giving people hope and I think a lot of that is forgotten,” Mills said.
The ceremony concluded with the national anthem and atrumpet performance of the song “Taps,” a well known song played at most veterans funeral services.
Any business or VFW Post interested in joining the Wreaths Across America campaign can join by logging onto the Web site, www.weaths-across-america.org.
To contact Ashley St. Michel, call 282-4337 ext. 228 or email news@kennebunkpost.com.
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