Mary Carroll Caton Chapter
Members of the Mary Carroll Caton Chapter have found other ways to get involved with supporting the Wreaths Across America (WAA) mission beyond assisting with the placement on wreath day. First, the chapter is a sponsor group. This means promotion of sponsorships throughout the year. For every two wreaths sponsored through the sponsor group, WAA provides three for placement at the supported cemetery. Honoring veterans in this manner is one way to display patriotism.
Chapter member Sharon Loving has been on a committee for Baltimore National Cemetery (BNC) in Catonsville since 2018. In her committee role, she is responsible for coordination of those wreaths requested for placement at a specific veteran site. Since BNC does not get a sufficient number of wreaths to honor all of the 37,000+ sites, this is a task which requires attention to detail and advanced planning as well as commitment to be on the grounds all day (7:30am until 4:30pm). In December 2024, this coordination of effort included an arrangement to ensure that members of the Carter Braxton Chapter, who would not be available until sometime after the ceremony and completion of volunteer wreath laying, had some wreaths in reserve so they could participate in placement. This is a personal commitment for Sharon Loving because her nephew is interred at BNC and thus this provides a more meaningful way to remember him while also serving to preserve memories of him.
As another way of providing support, Mary Carroll Caton Regent Barbara Clouspy opened the 2024 ceremony by leading in the singing of the National Anthem. Following the ceremony, Barbara Clouspy joined the hundreds of volunteers in attendance to place wreaths in the designated sections. As a retired teacher herself, Barbara found a means of assisting in educating others regarding the mission. Other members, Ann Wasserman and Karen Eichelman, also assisted with activities such as unloading the truck, adorning the columbarium, or just being present on Wreath Day. Also, several members generously sponsored wreaths.