Cheverus Stories

The night sky was lit with flashing lights as spectators gathered to watch the Portland Fire Department raise ladders high above the intersection at Ocean Ave. and Read St. and unfurl an American flag.  

Just before seven o’clock in the evening on Sunday, the two-mile-long convoy - including twelve semi-trailers carrying the wreaths - drove under the flag as bystanders waved small American flags. Cheverus High School was the last stop of the day for the Wreaths Across America convoy that will deliver the wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery for the National Wreaths Across America Day, Saturday, December 18.  

Wreaths Across America started as a simple gesture of thanks that has grown into a national movement of dedicated volunteers and communities coming together to not only remember the nation’s fallen and honor their service, but to teach the next generation about the sacrifices made for us to live freely. 

Cheverus student volunteers from the Key Club, the Swimming and  Diving team, and the Wrestling team welcomed the convoy and special guests. The Claddagh Mohr Pipe Band processed into the gymnasium through an honor guard of the Knights of Columbus. At the ceremony, Marshall Fowler ’21 served as emcee and Zoe Baker ’21 began the ceremony by singing the national anthem. Portland Police Officer Kevin Haley ’87 recognized 100-year-old WWII veteran Mr.  Arthur Babineau and his wife Alphena, who served as a "Wendy the Welder" during the war. Maine singer & songwriter Don Campbell performed a song written for Wreaths Across America - The Snow at Arlington, before the keynote speaker Scarborough Police Chief Mark Holmquist, who served as a Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during his time in the  US Army, shared how impactful it was to witness visitors to Arlington.