WATERVILLE — Members of Waterville VFW Post 1285 and its men’s auxiliary placed wreaths on veterans’ graves Saturday in St. Francis Cemetery on Grove Street in Waterville.

Their action was part of Wreaths Across America, a national event organized by volunteers that honors veterans by laying wreaths on their graves every year.

Waterville VFW Post 1285 member Charles McGillicuddy rides in the back of post Commander Daniel Parker’s pickup truck Saturday as they work their way around St. Francis Cemetery on Grove Street in Waterville to deliver wreaths to veterans’ graves.
Waterville VFW Post 1285 member Charles McGillicuddy rides in the back of post Commander Daniel Parker’s pickup truck Saturday as they work their way around St. Francis Cemetery on Grove Street in Waterville to deliver wreaths to veterans’ graves. Staff photo by Michael G. Seamans
Paul Pontbriand, president of Waterville VFW Post 1285’s men’s auxiliary, places a wreath on a military veteran’s grave Saturday at St. Francis Cemetery on Grove Street in Waterville.
Paul Pontbriand, president of Waterville VFW Post 1285’s men’s auxiliary, places a wreath on a military veteran’s grave Saturday at St. Francis Cemetery on Grove Street in Waterville. Staff photo by Michael G. Seamans
Waterville VFW Post 1285 Commander Daniel Parker, left, hands out wreaths on Saturday to Paul Pontbriand, center, and Charles McGillicuddy, right, at St. Francis Cemetery on Grove Street in Waterville.
Waterville VFW Post 1285 Commander Daniel Parker, left, hands out wreaths on Saturday to Paul Pontbriand, center, and Charles McGillicuddy, right, at St. Francis Cemetery on Grove Street in Waterville. Staff photo by Michael G. Seamans
Bryant Bourgoin, a member of the men’s auxillary of Waterville VFW Post 1285, stands at attention with the American flag during a wreath-laying ceremony Saturday at St. Francis Cemetery on Grove Street in Waterville. The wreaths, from Wreaths Across America, are being placed on veterans’ graves across the nation.
Bryant Bourgoin, a member of the men’s auxillary of Waterville VFW Post 1285, stands at attention with the American flag during a wreath-laying ceremony Saturday at St. Francis Cemetery on Grove Street in Waterville. The wreaths, from Wreaths Across America, are being placed on veterans’ graves across the nation. Staff photo by Michael G. Seamans
Waterville VFW post 1285 men’s auxiliary members Forrest Breton, left, and Bryant Bourgoin roll the American flag Saturday after ceremoniously placing wreaths on military veterans’ graves at St. Francis Cemetery on Grove Street in Waterville.
Waterville VFW post 1285 men’s auxiliary members Forrest Breton, left, and Bryant Bourgoin roll the American flag Saturday after ceremoniously placing wreaths on military veterans’ graves at St. Francis Cemetery on Grove Street in Waterville. Staff photo by Michael G. Seamans
Waterville VFW Post 1285 Commander Daniel Parker, left, hands out wreaths Saturday to Paul Pontbriand, center, and Charles McGillicuddy, right, at St. Francis Cemetery on Grove Street in Waterville.
Waterville VFW Post 1285 Commander Daniel Parker, left, hands out wreaths Saturday to Paul Pontbriand, center, and Charles McGillicuddy, right, at St. Francis Cemetery on Grove Street in Waterville. Staff photo by Michael G. Seamans
Paul Pontbriand, president of Waterville VFW Post 1285’s men’s auxiliary, holds a wreath destined for a veteran’s grave Saturday at St. Francis Cemetery on Grove Street in Waterville.
Paul Pontbriand, president of Waterville VFW Post 1285’s men’s auxiliary, holds a wreath destined for a veteran’s grave Saturday at St. Francis Cemetery on Grove Street in Waterville. Staff photo by Michael G. Seamans
Paul Pontbriand, president of Waterville VFW Post 1285’s men’s auxiliary, grabs wreaths from a pickup truck to delivers them to veterans’ graves Saturday at St. Francis Cemetery on Grove Street in Waterville.
Paul Pontbriand, president of Waterville VFW Post 1285’s men’s auxiliary, grabs wreaths from a pickup truck to delivers them to veterans’ graves Saturday at St. Francis Cemetery on Grove Street in Waterville. Staff photo by Michael G. Seamans

The tradition began in 1992 at the instigation of Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Co., in Harrington, who placed surplus wreaths that year at Arlington National Cemetery.

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