‘Wreaths Across America’ Honor Fallen RI Veterans

EXETER—-Across the country thousands of volunteers participated in this year’s ‘Wreaths Across America’ honoring fallen veterans. The non-profit organization placed nearly one million wreaths in cemeteries nationwide on Saturday, including here in Rhode Island.
 
Nearly 30,000 graves fill Rhode Island’s Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter. It’s a number that unfortunately grows higher every year. For the last several years, on a Saturday in December, volunteers come out to pay their respects to fallen heroes. 
 
"Last year I came by and laid down the wreaths but this year I figured I could do more,” said Samuel Turco, a senior at North Smithfield High School.

Simply volunteering wasn’t enough for Turco who took it upon himself to raise the money for over 1,000 wreaths this year. A labor of love, he started as a tribute to military members in his family. 

"I started almost right after the summer ended because I knew I would need more time to get the word out and have people come in to fundraise and donate,” said Turco.

Volunteers placing just short of 4,000 wreaths on grave markers in Exeter this year, a massive gain since ‘Wreaths Across America’ came to Rhode Island eight years ago. 

"We’ve grown so much, every year its gotten bigger and bigger,” said Mike Dalmazzi. a local coordinator. “It’s just phenomenal. We started with 500 wreaths and this year we are over 3,800 wreaths and it’s just fantastic how people hear about it and want to help out."

The sight may be surprising to some, but for Turco and others, the outpouring of support for veterans here in the ocean state is second to none. 

"I had complete confidence that my family, friends and everyone throughout the state of Rhode Island would be able to reach this goal,” said Turco.