Each November, the Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown becomes a powerful reminder of gratitude, sacrifice, and remembrance. On Saturday, November 8, 2025, beginning at 9:00 a.m. sharp, volunteers will gather to place more than 13,700 American flags at the graves of Connecticut’s fallen heroes in honor of Veterans Day.
This annual effort, held rain or shine, ensures that every veteran laid to rest on Bow Lane is visibly remembered. The sea of red, white, and blue flags symbolizes not only respect but the enduring promise that those who served our nation are never forgotten. Veterans groups, Scout troops, youth organizations, and community members from across the state come together each year to take part in this deeply meaningful act of remembrance.
The event does not end with the placement. On Saturday, November 15, volunteers will return at 9:00 a.m. to respectfully retrieve the flags, weather permitting, with a rain date set for November 22. The dedication of those who assist each year reflects the unwavering gratitude of a state that honors its veterans in life and in memory.
A Veterans Day ceremony will also be held at the cemetery on Tuesday, November 11, at 2:00 p.m. The ceremony provides an opportunity for the community to stand together in appreciation of those who defended freedom and some paid the ultimate sacrifice.
In addition to the flag placements, donations are being collected for Wreaths Across America, a program that places remembrance wreaths on the graves of veterans each December. Each wreath costs $17 and represents a personal gesture of respect for those who served. Last year, the Middletown cemetery met its goal of providing wreaths for all eligible veterans, a tradition organizers hope to continue with the community’s support.
Donations can be made directly at https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/150231 to ensure contributions go to the Middletown Veterans Cemetery. Checks may also be sent to Wreaths Across America, PO Box 249, Columbia Falls, ME 04623, with “CTMVCM-CT0075” written in the memo line to designate funds for the Bow Lane cemetery.
These acts of remembrance—whether placing a flag, attending a ceremony, or donating a wreath—carry immense importance. They represent the community’s collective promise to preserve the memory of every veteran who once wore the uniform. Through these gestures, Connecticut ensures that service and sacrifice are not just remembered on Veterans Day, but honored every day.
