Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 4/25/2023
SOUTHWICK — Each December, thousands of fallen veterans are honored across the United States when families and loved ones come together for wreath-laying ceremonies on veterans’ graves. Now, the tradition is coming to Southwick.
Wreaths Across America is a non-profit that coordinates the ceremonies at more than 3,700 locations every year. The Southwick Cemetery was recently approved to be a Wreaths Across America location after applying earlier this year.
Lisa Anderson spearheaded the application process as the sexton for the Southwick Cemetery. She says the goal is to raise $7,650 — enough money for 450 wreaths that will be distributed to both the Old and New Southwick cemeteries. The total goal is 500 wreaths, but Anderson chose an option with Wreaths Across America to get an extra wreath for every two wreaths sold, in order to reach the goal faster.
People can donate a wreath for a specific veteran, or donate generally toward the cause. The various sponsorship levels start at one wreath for $17 and climb to the corporate sponsorship at 100 wreaths for $1,700. Links to donate are available at bit.ly/43yUOIx. There is also a kiosk at the cemetery for in-person donations.
“I am very excited and honored for our town and cemetery to be part of this,” Anderson said.
Anderson calls herself a military brat, saying her dad served in the Air Force for more than 20 years. He died in 2017 from Agent Orange complications after serving in the Vietnam and the Korean War. That year, Anderson and her two sisters honored their dad at a Wreaths Across America event in Agawam.
“I thought, ‘Why are we not doing this for our veterans in Southwick?’ So here we are,” Anderson said. “This is a great way for the community to come together and not only remember the nation’s fallen and honor their service, but to teach the next generation about the value of freedom and that the individuals who served to protect the freedoms of our country will never be forgotten.”
Local groups and clubs can get involved by helping to sell wreaths as a fundraiser. Anderson said for every wreath sold, the group gets $5 back. Anyone interested in starting a fundraiser can email Anderson at landerson@southwickma.net to get started.
Wreaths Across America provides a liaison team for information and webinars to help locations achieve their goal. Anderson said Southwick Cemetery officials are already starting to go and spread the word in the community. Expect to see them with a table at the May election and throughout the year in an effort to honor veterans. The official wreath-laying day for the Southwick Cemetery, and other locations across the country, will be Dec. 16.