Each gravestone marks an American hero and at every one, a wreath with a bright red ribbon was carefully placed. This is what thousands of people in cities and towns around the country did last month, including in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. For volunteers, Wreaths Across America is a chance to connect with veterans and to say thank you.

“Anyone who signs up to represent their country through the armed forces, I consider a hero,” said Cliff Williams, who leads the Eversource Veterans Business Resource Group in Connecticut. “This is the least I can do to honor those sacrifices that they and their families make.”

This is the third year Williams has volunteered for Wreaths Across America at State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, most years with his 25-year-old son by his side. 

“We appreciate all the opportunities that this country has given to us,” said Williams. “We are proud to be Americans, and this is just one way for us to show our appreciation to veterans all across the country.”

Eversource is a long-time supporter of the Wreaths Across America events in the three states it serves. Hundreds of company volunteers come out each year to honor and remember the brave men and women who’ve served this country.

“It's one of the most rewarding, intangible benefits of this company, the fact that Eversource shows such support to veterans – it really means a lot to me,” says Christopher Stock, who will lead the Eversource Veterans Business Resource Group in New Hampshire beginning next year. “I think veterans are the backbone of the country; the U.S. wouldn’t be where it is today without veterans.”

Stock, a veteran himself, served in the United States Army and did three years active duty in South Korea with an artillery battalion. He’s been laying wreaths at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen for this event for the last 4 years. Every year he brings one of his sons to show them how the community comes together to support veterans. Volunteering for this event gives him a chance to reflect and connect with veterans who are no longer with us.

“Every year I do Wreaths Across America, I try to find a grave site of a Korean War veteran that served in the U.S. Army and place one of my wreaths there,” said Stock. “It just makes it special for me, and we have that bond together.”

In Massachusetts, Eversource volunteers placed wreaths at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam and at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. Mark Baldwin is one of the leads for the Eversource Veterans Business Resource Group in Massachusetts and served seven years active duty as a naval officer in the United States Navy.

“I have some family and friends who are buried at the Bourne National Cemetery. Paying honor and tribute to them is extremely important,” said Baldwin. “These are some of the important things that we do to keep the memories of our veterans alive.”

He and his colleagues look forward to this event every year – a tradition that Baldwin and his sons take part in together.

“It’s time that we’re able to spend with our families to recognize the sacrifice of our veterans and those that have come before,” said Baldwin. “Seeing the thousands and thousands of wreaths placed in perfect rows and knowing we did that brings a sense of pride and respect.”

Photo Captions:

1. Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Agawam, MA
2. Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne, MA
3. State Veterans Cemetery, Middletown, CT
4. New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen, NH