Susan Nelson Trombley, wife of the late Ernest Trombley, a U.S. Navy Seabee, stands next to his uniform and holds a wreath made from his fatigues at the Canton Department of Veterans Services on Monday, March 24. (Photo Courtesy Town of Canton)
CANTON — Town Administrator Charles Doody and Veterans Agent Arafat Knight are proud to share that the Canton Department of Veterans Services presented a custom wreath made from the military fatigues of the late Ernest Trombley, a U.S. Navy Seabee veteran, to his wife on Monday, March 24.
Following up on a showcase of uniforms held by the Department of Veterans last year, when it was revealed just how many military uniforms are kept packed away by community members, it dawned on Veterans Agent Knight to provide another avenue to display them.
Veterans Agent Knight discovered an online, veteran-owned small business called Wreaths by Nicole P, which produces hand-crafted, custom military wreaths made of real military uniforms for veterans and their families.
The Department of Veterans then sent a set of fatigues belonging to the late Navy veteran Ernest Trombley to Wreaths by Nicole P. The fatigues were provided by Trombley’s wife, Susan Nelson Trombley.
“His wife Susan donated a couple of his uniforms to us for the showcase last year, but we decided to have a wreath made for her from his fatigues,” said Canton Veterans Agent Administrator Cynthia Maddestra. “On Monday, the Department of Veterans had Susan come in, and we presented her with Ernie’s wreath.”
Susan expressed surprise, gratitude and honor during the wreath presentation as Veterans Agent Knight explained how it was made.
“This is so nice. It made my day,” Susan told him as she continued to stare at the wreath. “These wreaths for veterans make you feel like you will always have a part of them with you. I am overwhelmed. Thank you.”
Veterans Agent Knight reaffirmed that sentiment, stating, “You always will have a piece of him with you.”
Veterans Agent Knight also suggested that she could hang this up “as a permanent keepsake,” as a fitting memorial and celebration of the service of the late Navy veteran.
Ernest Trombley, known affectionately as “Ernie,” had a 23-year career in the U.S. Navy, serving two tours during the Vietnam War, ultimately receiving an honorable discharge in 1997. As a proud member of the U.S. Navy MCB-12, the combat Seabees, Trombley was later chosen to help oversee the refurbishment of the USS Constitution, known as Old Ironsides, the world’s oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat at Charlestown Navy Yard.
After his retirement from the Navy, Trombley was a longtime member of the Canton Veterans Services Department Honor Guard, where he continued to honor his fellow servicemen and women.
Trombley passed away peacefully at his Canton home, surrounded by family, on Jan. 10.
Anyone interested in having a custom wreath made for a Canton veteran can do so by calling the Canton Department of Veterans at 781-821-5005 or by sending an email to cmaddestra@town.canton.ma.us. The price of the wreath is $100. The Department of Veterans will coordinate the shipping.
“The military uniform creates a sense of identity and belonging among service members, while signifying rank, role, and duty,” said Veterans Agent Knight. “Every branch of the U.S. military has their uniform, and every veteran’s uniform has a story. These wreaths, produced by a Marine Corp and Air Force veteran named Nicole, whose husband is still serving in the U.S. Air Force today, are a fitting way to memorialize a Canton veteran for their service to our country. We honor Ernest Trombley and all the veterans of Canton, along with those throughout the country, for giving their lives for our protection, maintaining peace at home and abroad, and defending our homeland, the United States of America.”
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A small business called Wreaths by Nicole P makes custom wreaths made from military uniforms. (Photo Courtesy Town of Canton)
Susan Nelson Trombley, wife of the late Ernest Trombley, a U.S. Navy Seabee, stands next to his uniform and holds a wreath made from his fatigues. (Photo Courtesy Town of Canton)
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