CAMBRIDGE — Every year, the American Legion Post # 91holds a Wreath Laying Ceremony at Long Wharf in front of the WWI Monument Fountain, to remember and honor the men and women who gave their lives for their Country so that we could be free.

Over the years the Legion has been very good to Pleasant Day Medical Adult Day Care, providing chairs for Pleasant Day participants under the Crepe Myrtle Tree.

This year was the first time Pleasant Day has participated; laying a poppy wreath that was crafted by Activities Coordinator Missy LeCompte. Being the first year, it was extra special for Pleasant Day Medical Adult Day Care participants to watch three Veterans from Pleasant Day present the poppy wreath. Leonard Albee now a 100 years old served in WWII; Pleasant Day’s own Danny Seabrease, a Navy Veteran during the Iranian Crisis; and Elway Taylor, a Vietnam Veteran, placed the wreath at the WWI Memorial.

Mr. Albee, a Combat Medic during the Battle of the Bulge, was wounded and received the Purple Heart. Mr. Taylor served in the US Army as a Private 1st Class until discharged in 1974 from his duty in Germany. Mr. Seabrease was a Navy Machinery Repairman (MR) aboard the DDG-39 USS Macdonough from 1978 to 1981. On behalf of all of Pleasant Day’s staff and participants, Pleasant Day is expressing our heartfelt appreciation to all those who fought and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep us free.

Bobby Tieder, a past commander, said the wreath-laying ceremony started in 1946. He remembers the year because he was in the Boy Scout Troop sponsored by St. Paul’s Methodist Church. The Boy Scout Troop was Flag Bearers for the Ceremony.

While Pleasant Day participants have always attended the Legion since the Center opened in 1987, there is probably a larger contingent of Veterans than ever. The Veterans Administration pays for two days of Pleasant Day Medical Adult Day Care for eligible Veterans. Pleasant Day has a “ One Vet One Day” fundraising Program that for every $75 dollars donated a Veteran gets to attend one extra day. These three days can be spread over the course of a week which helps a Veteran from staying at home alone which could lead to depression. If you want more information about the Veterans’ Program at Pleasant Day Medical Adult Day Care, call Jackie Vickers at 410-228-0190.