Writer & Photographer – SFC (R) Lisa Rodriguez
On December 10th, James Hillhouse High School was honored to be a stop on the Wreaths Across America convoy this year on their way to Arlington National Cemetery. The convoy started in Maine and traveled for 6 days on its way to Arlingtion making 3 stops each day at designated locations. This year because of the Hillhouse JROTC’s participation in the National Wreaths Across America Day wreath laying ceremony over the last 4 years, Hillhouse was selected as a stop on the convoy route. The convoy consisted of 160 people and over 50 vehicles, including the 13 tractor-trailers carrying over 200,000 wreaths that were going to be placed on the graves of Veterans who are buried at Arlington National Cemetery. As the convoy drove down Sherman Parkway, it was welcomed by the JROTC Cadets, Hillhouse Cheerleaders, the Hillhouse Band, students, and many faculty members. Once all of the vehicles parked, everyone came into the Hillhouse auditorium for a “Hillhouse Loves Veterans” assembly.
The assembly participants included not only members of the Hillhouse Family, but were joined by the Knights of Columbus, and the Co-Op band. The JROTC cadets presented wreaths to five Gold Star Families who live here in Connecticut. Dr. Billy, Hillhouse principal, Dr. Negron, superintendent of schools and Mayor Elicker each thanked the wreaths across America organization for choosing Hillhouse as a stop this year. Karen Worcester, the Executive Director of Wreaths Across America, spoke and reminded the audience the importance of teaching future generations the importance of honoring our fallen and the sacrifices they made. The New Haven Firefighters Emerald Society ended the ceremony with Amazing Grace. Upon the conclusion of the assembly, bags that said “Hillhouse Loves Veterans” and were filled with snacks, were handed out to all convoy personnel as well as veterans in attendance. Then on December 14th, the JROTC, Knights of Columbus, American Legion, the VFW, volunteers from Citizens Bank as well as volunteers from the community, laid wreaths on 218 veterans graves in Westville cemetery as a part of the National Wreaths Across America Day wreath laying ceremony. More than 4,600 locations across the United States participate in this tradition that was started in 2008.