Wreaths for a good cause

Houlton Pioneer Times photo/Joseph Cyr
WREATH MAKERS — Karen and Russell Fitzpatrick put the finishing touches on one of their patriotic wreaths. The Fitzpatricks have been busy making 106 wreaths to be placed on veterans’ grave markers in the Houlton area for Veteran’s Day.
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — The image of wreaths adorning crosses at Arlington Cemetery is both powerful and heartrending.
    In fact, that image is so moving that it has prompted a Houlton couple to recreate the imagery at two cemeteries in Houlton for Veterans Day.
    Karen and Russell Fitzpatrick, owners of Daniel’s Florist, have dreamed of placing wreaths on veteran’s gravestones and crosses for the past couple of years, but for one reason or another, were unable to see that dream come to fruition.
    This year, however, that dream will become a reality as the crosses at Soldier Hill in Evergreen Cemetery, as well as gravestones for veterans on the White Settlement Road will be adorned with wreaths sporting patriotic red, white and blue ribbons.
    “We talked about doing this last year,” Karen said. “We thought it was such a nice idea, but we ran out of time.”
    The passing of Houlton soldier Aaron Henderson, a young man who both Karen and Russell knew quite well, sparked the Fitzpatricks to renew their desire to make wreaths this season.
    “When Aaron (Henderson) passed, I spoke with his mother,” Russell said. “I was quite upset and angry with his death, but his mother said I should focus my energy on something positive and to not be upset. That gave me the motivation to make these wreaths.”
    “This was the time for us to do it,” added Karen.
    The couple contacted Milton Cone, supervisor for Evergreen Cemetery, and learned there are 68 crosses located at Soldier’s Hill and an additional 38 stones are located at the White Settlement Road cemetery.
    With 106 hand-tied wreaths to make, the Fitzpatricks have been busy gathering materials and building each wreath so that they can be completed in time for Veterans Day this Sunday. Each wreath takes about 15 minutes to construct.
    The Fitzpatricks may expand their project to other veterans’ grave markers in future years, if there is interest and support for the concept.
    “We thought we would start local in our own community first and see where it goes from there,” Karen said.