Many volunteers came out to Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Maspeth to help the United Veterans and Fraternal Organizations of Maspeth honor the veterans laid to rest there on Saturday, Dec. 5, by placing wreaths and American flags at their gravesites.
Kenneth Rudzewick, president and CEO of Maspeth Federal Savings Bank, was inspired to set up the inaugural event at Mt. Olivet Cemetery after reading an article on the Wreaths Across America website, an organization committed to remembering all those who served in the armed forces in Arlington National Cemetery and other locations across the United States.
Members of the United Veterans and Fraternal Organizations of Maspeth and volunteers from Maspeth Federal Savings Bank, the Vietnam Veterans of America Queens Chapter 32, local Girl Scout troops, Maspeth Town Hall and the Maspeth Kiwanis placed 300 wreaths at veterans’ gravesites, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
“I think it’s so fitting for our veterans. I was very pleased to hear the United Veterans and Fraternal Organizations of Maspeth is taking part in the Wreaths Across America campaign,” said David Gigler, treasurer for Mt. Olivet Cemetery. “We were happy to assist in any way possible. I was very happy to see the community participate.”
Volunteers walked the entire cemetery, locating veterans’ gravesites and placing the holiday wreaths by their gravestones.
To find out more about Wreaths Across America, visit their website.
