In 2007, the Wreaths Across America non-profit group was founded. Since then, the event has expanded to all 50 states to lay wreaths at veterans' cemeteries to remember our fallen heroes, honor those who serve, and teach our children about the sacrifices made by veterans and their families - Wreaths Across America
Last Saturday, my family and I went to Arlington National Cemetery to lay wreaths on the graves of our loved ones. The cemetery gives family members this day, without the presence of the media and public that will volunteer for the annual wreath laying. That happened to be yesterday and it was another successful volunteer effort.
You drive through the gates to the hallowed grounds, and as you can see from the picture, the weather was cloudy and overcast. I won't show you the traffic that made my short little drive into a nightmare, but, I did get a very deceptive shot going through the gates. They take one person at a time and hold the traffic back. Looking back, it makes me forget all about the traffic.
God Bless Wreaths Across America and all the volunteers.
Wreaths Across America. I just can't say enough about a company that had such humble beginnings, rooted in a twelve-year-old newspaper boy from Maine that won a trip to Washington, DC, which brought him to the gates of Arlington. "This experience followed him throughout his life and successful career, reminding him that his good fortune was due, in large part, to the values of this nation and the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country." Read more about how it started here
Boosted by coffee and donuts that were donated by local businesses, they attend to every driver as, one by one, they pull up to the designated loading spot and ask how many wreaths they need today. Many have a loved one buried there. All want to be there and are happy to serve this way. I understand. In some ways, it lessens your own grief, knowing there are people there that understand. I didn't mean to make it sound like a grief fest, it's not. There is much bonding and spirited conversation.
I get wreath #31 plus three more. It is an honor system, they will give you what you ask for. They load them up in my vehicle and off to the different graves we go. The wreaths are fresh and beautiful. The entire cemetery will be covered again this year.
I saw her from across the way, laying the wreath on her dad's grave.❤️
Did you know that oragami shaped into a crane is one of thw ways to show your love and compassion for someone who is leaving you. I have to say that there were 125 cranes folded and placed.Taditionally, cranes equate love.
To get a true idea of how little this crane was, this is the space between the niche. A very small crane. I almost missed it. Would you like to know how to fold a crane? See here.
I am always touched by the flowers and thoughtful objects left behind after a visit. Gift of love. Moments of reflection, perhaps no reason at all. Just because. I look at the rows and rows of perfectly spaced stones. I just noticed some of the trees still have their leaves. I live close to here and mine are all gone. These are protected in some way, too many to be random.
They are delivering messages of love, right to the graveside. The parents are far, far away and older and their son was taken from them, not even a year ago. They sent a message through his friends, who came to the grave and read his parents words. While you might think this is silly, it felt right to them.
They mix the old with the new. It all blends seamlessly.
Many of the volunteers begin helping out by laying wreaths, with family day. Honoring military members with a wreath is sucha small way to show it, and I am looking for bigger ways to contribute. Looking to get involved? Volunteer or donate by visiting www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.
All I have are my words, armed in my mind, written in pen, stand by stand. Oh, yes. Still by hand. It has a different feel. Altered not by keys, backspace, and delete, I write, erase, tear it to pieces and start all over again. And again.
It’s my way. I walk out to the deep end of the page and dive right in.
Thank you for visiting my post 💖 Don't ever forget what a wonderful world we live in, people. Some days, it is not as easy to see, just how wonderful it really is. For me, I try to do my part. Kindness counts. Wherever you go, whatever you do.
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Thank you for the repost @pixresteemer !
!PIZZA
They are always remembered. Hopefully their families will see each other again in the resurrection morning.
It's what we all pray for. Thank you for stopping by!
Have a great day!
I was 15 years old in that year, and I started the first class in the middle school in that year. I finished it with a maturity exam in 2012. That was like a completely different world. We lived in Budapest in that time. We moved to the countryside in the beginning of 2015.
It is funny how much life changes for us. My life is much different than how it started out. :)
We adapt.
That's more than a thoughtful thing to do; words just cannot express it.
Thank you so much, Victor. It is always an honor to do that. There are so many people out there for that and for some of the organizations I work with that serve meals.
People are so amazing and giving that the organizations have to turn help away because there is too much. That is a good problem to have.
Thanks for stopping by.
!PIZZA
I see that not all that lay there died in batle , it's for all of those that served ?
the graves remind me of the WWII cemataries we have here in the Netherlands , it's a nice touch to put a wrath on the graves this time of year.
I have been to the Netherlands American Cemetery, just outside of Maastricht, in a village called Margraten (spelling?)
Arlington National Cemetery's eligibility requirements for burial and inurnment are different from other national cemeteries that are maintained by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Eligibility for in-ground burial at Arlington National Cemetery is the most stringent of all U.S. national cemeteries. However, most veterans who have at least one day of active service (other than for training) and an honorable discharge are eligible for above-ground inurnment. Eligibility is determined at the time of need.
Thanks for stopping by!
Meow!
It is my first time to know about that origami crane as being left in love ones at the cemetery...I am quite curious, will check the link.
And seeing the cemetery, it warms my heart.it was maintained and never forgotten.
It was established by the government, and they maintain it.
Never forgotten. How could we?
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Very poignant, Denise.
I'm often astonished by the seeming indifference of the general public towards those who have fallen. People take for granted that which they ought not. The thing I like about you most is that you don't ... and initiatives like Wreaths Across America remind me that, thankfully, you are not alone.
I hope all is going well.
Merry Christmas to you & yours.
Quill
Merry Christmas, Quill!! @quillfire
I absolutely have absolutely encountered indifference and even outright hatred, although rare, it has happened by interrupting (I'm being nice here) the funeral services of a soldier.
I have the deepest respect for you and how you have lived your life. Given your lineage as an expeditionary force member, your words warm my soul. Thank you. It is always good seeing you pop in now and again.
I am well and I hope you and Katie are too! College is over this year for her, yes? :)
Merry! Merry!
Hi Denise.
Katie has one semester to go. Upon graduation she's going to take a gap year to work in a neuro lab before starting her PhD in Biomedical Sciences (she'll still take a couple of courses during her gap year as one of her scholarships requires her to remain an "active student"). She just received her final grades for this semester ... 4A's & 1 A-. Nice. Part of the reason for her gap year is to align the commencement of her PhD with her long-term boyfriend whose Bachelors will take an extra semester to complete as he's double-majoring in Astronautical & Mechanical Engineering.
BTW, Katie says hi.
Quill
What a lovely post to make for our fallen soldiers, Denise. I never knew the story behind the cranes and I am so glad that you shared it here. Merry Christmas to you and all your loved ones.
Merry Christmas to you, Wanda! @sunscape There were so many cranes and it was such a beautiful gesture, ❤️ definitely one of love.
Thank you for stopping by and for your warm wishes! I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas! I was hoping you would be sunning yourself someplace warm! :)
Thank you, Denise. I wish I was someplace warm with the snowstorm heading our way. This year will be a quiet holiday for my husband and me. Our new puppy just got spayed 2 days ago and she has to be kept quiet for ten days. She gets overly excited when someone comes to the house so we put out the word for no visitors. She is in a great deal of pain so we stay right next to her to comfort her. Perhaps next year I will plan a visit to Panama again to see my family. That would be nice to do for the holiday season and only time will tell. Merry Christmas my dear friend. ♥ ♥ ♥