ML photos by Nancy Reardon
Last month, Methuen was ready to pause and salute as a large convoy of tractor-trailers and police escorts – bound for the hallowed ground of Arlington National Cemetery – passed through our city.
Steve Avedisian of Avedisian East and City Councilor Ron Marsan were made aware through family and friends that “Wreaths Across America” would have a convoy of 15 tractor-trailers, led by state and local police departments, passing through Methuen.
Avedisian and Marsan spread the word. As a result, Mayor DJ Beauregard, city councilors Joel Faretra, Neily Soto and Patricia Valley and Methuen Police Chief Scott McNamara, along with several police officers and firefighters, gathered across the Interstate-495 Southbound bridge on Merrimack Street to salute and honor the convoy as it passed beneath them. Ron’s wife Dianne and their son Jonathan held the edges to a large U.S. flag that was raised to honor the fallen soldiers whose graves will be adorned with one of the Christmas wreaths.
Many of those wreaths were taken to Arlington National Cemetery as well as several other national and state cemeteries. The wreaths were purchased through donations and the drivers apply years in advance to be a part of this convoy.
