Wreaths Across America in South Windsor Achieves Goal of 'One Veteran, One Wreath'

About 75 people withstood the cold and snow to honor the town’s veterans at the Wreaths Across America ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park on Saturday.

And, in just its fourth year, American Legion Post 133 reached its goal of “one veteran, one wreath.”

There are about 1,000 veterans who are laid to rest in cemeteries in South Windsor, according to Commander Art Sladyk.

This year, 1,026 wreaths were donated, Sladyk said during the ceremony. That’s up from 760 last year, 450 in 2011 and 50 in 2010, he said.

“As a resident, I couldn’t be prouder of our community,” Sladyk said. “My hat is off to the community and our residents.”

Members of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, as well as town residents, laid the wreaths at gravesites after the ceremony.

Major Gen. Jim Throwe gave the prayers during the ceremony, including one given by Gen. George Patton to his troops on Dec. 25, 1944.

Various town dignitaries were on hand, including Mayor Dr. Saud Anwar, state Rep. Bill Aman, Chief of Police Matthew Reed and Fire Chief Kevin Cooney.

Wreaths were laid for the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and POWs/MIAs.

Sladyk reminded the crowd of the importance of the day’s event.

“The freedoms we enjoy today have not come without a price,” he said.