Saturday, December 18th was an extraordinary day to remember. The rain and chilly weather didn’t stop over 300 attendees from participating in National Wreaths Across America Day at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Totowa. More than 2,800 wreaths were placed on the graves of veterans by Passaic County Technical-Vocational Schools students, faculty, and staff, as well as local veteran groups, their family members and friends, and volunteers from surrounding communities.

This annual patriotic occasion, organized by PCTVS Event Coordinator Cathy Pagano, is sponsored by Wreaths Across America to encourage remembrance and honor those who have served our country and gave the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our freedoms.

Over the past three years, PCTVS has participated in the Wreaths Across America’s yearlong mission to “Remember, Honor, Teach” by becoming a local fundraising group for veteran’s wreaths in partnership with Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. National Wreaths Across America Day had placed over 1.7 million wreaths on veterans’ gravesites at nearly 2,000 participating locations nationwide.

This year’s wreath laying ceremony was a touching scene which included a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem sung by PCTVS alumni Justin Carrasca, and a poem titled “Remembering the Fallen” read by current PCTVS student Sahaf Chowdhury. A chilling rendition of “Taps,” performed by a bugler from the American Legion Post 428, was heard echoing through the cemetery, as well as an emotional version of “Amazing Grace” played on three different bagpipes. Seeing the over three hundred volunteers on hand help lay wreaths upon the veterans’ graves was a comforting feeling, knowing that Wreaths Across America’s mission, and the partnership with PCTVS is successfully delivering the message to “Remember, Honor, and Teach” about the sacrifices made for the freedoms of this great country.

PCTVS would once again like to extend our sincerest thanks to all our volunteers, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, and Wreaths Across America for the honor of participating in this extraordinary event.

As part of the opening ceremony for Wreaths Across America Day, Senior PCTVS student Sahaf Chowdhury reads a poem titled “Remembering the Fallen” while surrounded by his fellow PCTVS classmates.

PCTVS alumni Justin Carrasca sings a soulful rendition of the National Anthem as PCTVS students and military veterans stand at attention.

PCTVS students lay wreaths on the graves of military veterans at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Totowa in honor of Wreaths Across America Day.