Department of New Hampshire

Wreaths at NH Veterans Cemetery

Posted at 11:19 AM on Saturday, November 7, 2009 by New Hampshire Blog Master

Good morning everyone - So many of you have asked if we have any plans to place wreaths (as was done in 2007) at the Veteran's Cemetery in Boscawen.  Below is the official position regarding placing wreaths at Boscawen.  This is the policy at NH State Veterans Cemetery as of November 1, 2009:  The NH State Veterans Cemetery will have one ceremony every December that will coincide with the day that holiday wreaths are placed on the graves at the Arlington National Cemetery and at other cemeteries across the United States.   

On Saturday, December 12, 2009, the cemetery staff will support a coordinated effort by veteran support groups, families, and friends to place holiday wreaths on the cemetery facilities to include the main entrance sign, flag poles along the entrance road, grave section markers, and the columbariums. A ceremony, coinciding with similar ceremonies across the United States of America, will be conducted at noon at the Circle of Flags, placing ceremonial wreaths on the military service markers. 

The cemetery will not support organizations or groups placing wreaths on individual graves. Per the Cemetery Guidelines, Floral Tributes and Flags for Grave sites, "Holiday wreaths (fresh or artificial) may be placed on grave sites from December 1 through  January 2. Wreath stands are not permitted at any time."

You as an individual can still place a wreath on the individual grave sites.  I did have several WWII widows that could not get to the cemetery but wanted wreaths placed on their husband's graves.  I will contact them - I know one that was so grateful for the help.

I also wanted to let you know that again this year, we are planning to have a Wreath of Remembrance placed in each community across New Hampshire.  If you are interested in participating in this, please email or call me at 529-0812 or 548-8787.  We would like to have the different locations have a ceremony and place the wreath at their towns monument that honors our military.  I have a sample of the ceremony to those that might be interested. 

Please pass this information on to others that have asked about the wreaths.

Blessings,                                                                                                                                       Susan Peterson
Proud Blue Star Mom