Community groups place wreaths on Veteran graves throughout Windham - By Michelle Libby

For the second year, Libby Sawyer coordinated local Scouts and Veterans from the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion to gather on the first Saturday in December to place wreaths with red, white and blue bows on each Veteran’s grave. The program called Everlasting Gratitude is based on the Wreaths Across America program where wreaths are laid on graves at Arlington National Cemetery. 

Libby, who owns Studio Flora, makes sure that each of the 800 Veteran’s graves in town receives recognition. She teamed up again with Sebago Gardens and The Little Log Cabin Montessori School to raise money to pull off this feat.   

“I’m so thankful that people are willing to do this with us. It’s been amazing all around. There are two Boy Scout Troops and Girl Scout Troops and one troop helped make the bows,” said Sawyer. 

Saturday was a rainy, cold day, but that didn’t stop the boys from Troops 805 and 51 and the girls from Troop 193 from Windham and Troop 1741 of Raymond. 

“I heard it was going on and I wanted to do that. The veterans need recognition even after they’re gone,” said Sophey Potter, from Troop 1741. 

Several girls from the Raymond troop have relatives buried in Arlington Cemetery. “That was very personal for our girls,” said troop leaders Caj MacDonald and Jennifer Potter. 

For those who would like to donate to the cause, visit www.studioflora.me or drop off checks at Studio Flora, 889 Roosevelt Trail in Windham.

 

The girls from GS Troop 1741, Chelsea Welch, Lindsey MacDonald, Mya Bolk and Sophey Potter, whose  great, great Uncle was also buried in the cemetery, clean off the headstone of Barry Lombard, a Veteran who died a year ago.

Boy Scout Troop 805, Girl Scout Troop 1741 and organizers of the event pose after laying wreaths at Arlington Cemetery last Saturday.