Wreaths Across America and My New Yearly Tradition [PHOTOS]
Though I've never served, the military hold a special place in my heart. They do so much for me, I try to find what I can do to support them. I recently found the organization Wreaths Across America and now, I never see a future Christmas without them.
Wreaths Across America is a national organization where they place wreaths on the gravesites of the brave men and women who have served our country. Every year wreaths are placed on the same day from Arlington National Cemetery, to Saratoga National Cemetery, to many across the country by volunteers. This year, I volunteered and it's already become my yearly Christmas tradition.
I showed up to a huge line of traffic. I was so frustrated, trying to get to the ceremony as quickly as I can. That's when I stopped, that's when I remembered what I was doing, that's when I looked at it differently. All of these volunteers were here for the same reason. We all wanted to honor those people who fought to protect us and that's beautiful.
After an amazing ceremony that featured those lost in each branch of the armed forces, we grabbed our wreaths. There were thousands of volunteers walking along the cemetery to honor someone they've never met. Each and every one of us placed a wreath at a grave and then said their name aloud and either bowed our head or saluted. Each and every name at that cemetery was said on Saturday. It was the least we could do to honor all of those people and I was so proud that I could be a part of it.
One thing they told us in the ceremony is to remember the people who you're specifically honoring today and take the time to look them up online and learn their story. So, to US Navy Veteran John Rasmussen and his wife, US Marine Veteran Donald Bonesteel Sr, Iona Barber and her husband veteran Master Sergeant in the United States Army Chester Barber, SSgt Robert HC Cunningham of the US Air Force, and LtJg Janice M Golden of the US Navy, to the people who I specifically honored on Saturday, thank you and may you rest in peace.