RUMFORD — A Dixfield man is working with area American Legion posts, the state commander, state president of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Rumford VFW president to organize a wreath-laying ceremony for local war memorials.
They will meet at 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at the Rumford American Legion before proceeding to Rumford, Mexico, Dixfield and Peru war memorials to hold a brief wreath-laying ceremony at each, organizer Robert “Bub” Desroches said in a recent news report.
Desroches named the project “Wreaths of Honor.”
He said he started fundraising last year to hang a wreath at the entrance of all cemeteries in Rumford, Mexico, Dixfield and Peru.
“The fundraising went far beyond my expectations and I had funds enough to also purchase large wreaths for the memorials in these towns and beyond,” he said.
He hung wreaths at 72 cemeteries and seven war memorials from Byron to Portland and sporadically through four Maine counties.
“The wreath at each cemetery is to honor all the veterans laid to rest in that locale,” Desroches said.
“I do not take credit for the wreaths donated to these locations. I credit the generosity of the people who donate to this cause, and I can’t express my gratitude for their pride of the veterans who have passed.”
Desroches said he is not affiliated in any way with Wreaths Across America, but does support its organization, donates to it, and urges others to do so, as well.
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