Darien VFW Member: Vets Group ‘in Serious Jeopardy of Being Insolvent,’ Wreaths Across America Needs Help, Too

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To the editor:

The pandemic has hit hard many individuals, organizations, and causes across Connecticut this year.

As a member of the [Darien] VFW and the site coordinator for Wreaths Across America, I can attest that both are struggling significantly.

Wreaths Across America wreath-laying at Spring Grove Cemetery in a past year (picture from the Darien Chamber of Commerce website)

Wreaths Across America normally raises the majority of funds for Spring Grove Veterans Cemetery through retail collecting at various locations by the Darien VFW.

This year, it did not make sense for elderly veterans to unnecessarily be exposed to getting the COVID virus. Currently, we have raised enough funds to provide for only 149 wreaths.

The VFW is also struggling to maintain it’s solvency. A large contributor to its annual budget was the annual [July 4] Push/Pull Parade, which was canceled this year.

Letter to the Editor Battle of Braddock's Field

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The funds cover a large portion of the VFW’s annual operating costs. The private club normally covers the remainder, but it’s sales are down significantly. The VFW is seriously in jeopardy of becoming insolvent.

This year, you can support both causes at the same time by donating a wreath for the Spring Grove Cemetery. The VFW will receive a small portion of the overall cost for each wreath donated.

Wreaths can be ordered from the WAA website with the Group ID code of CT0007P and the Location Code of CTSGVD.

If you prefer to pay by check, please note the codes above on the check /order form so that the wreaths arrive at the Darien location. The mailing address is WAA, P.O. Box 249 Columbia Falls, ME 04620.

Finally, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to JC Carter at Wreaths06820@gmail.com.

— John Carter

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