By Taryn Holmes

For a National Honor Society project, I am partnering with the Jason Russell Society of the Children of the American Revolution, the Old Middlesex Chapter Sons of the American Revolution, and the Mt. Hollis Masonic Lodge to honor our Holliston veterans. 

Each year, millions of Americans come together to remember the fallen, honor those that serve and their families, and teach the next generation about the value of freedom. 

This gathering of volunteers and patriots takes place in local and national cemeteries in all 50 states - most recently at more than 3,100 participating locations - as part of National Wreaths Across America Day. 

Each year, a new theme is chosen to help volunteers and supporters focus their messaging and outreach in their own communities. The theme for 2022 is “Find a way to serve.”

Holliston, I need your help to step up and serve.  We need your help to sponsor wreaths. On Dec. 17, we will be holding a Wreaths Across America event right here in Holliston at the Lake Grove Cemetery. 

There are roughly 600 veteran graves in this cemetery so we need all the help we can get. In 2021, more than 2.4 million veterans’ wreaths were placed by volunteers on headstones at 3,137 participating locations around the country in honor of the service and sacrifices made for our freedoms, with each name said out loud. 

I decided to get involved because we have participated in many Wreaths Across America events in NH and in Worcester. I am a member of called Children of the American Revolution which is a leadership and public service organization that teaches kids 0-22 these skills while tying in patriotism and love of Country.

This event is important to me because I know a lot of veterans personally, some buried in Lake Grove Cemetery, so I thought this event might be a good way to honor them and all Holliston Veterans. 

Wreaths Across America volunteers work year-round to ensure military laid to rest are remembered, their families and living veterans are honored, and the next generation is taught about the value of freedom. Let’s bring it to Holliston.

What can you do to help? First, you can sponsor wreaths by going to wreathsacrossamerica.org. Click on “Specific Cemetery” under the Sponsor wreaths tab. Click the number of wreaths you would like to sponsor and type in “Lake Grove Cemetery” for the location. Second, join us on Saturday, Dec. 17, at noon as we have a ceremony to honor our veterans and help us place the sponsored wreaths. We can’t do this without your help!

This cause should matter to Holliston residents because this is a way for everyone to show respect and appreciation for those Holliston Veterans who have passed on.