An annual tradition to honor servicemen and women brought thousands of volunteers together at Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday.
Wreaths Across America, started in 1992, honors service members interred at Arlington by inviting volunteers to place wreaths decorated with bows on their graves. In all, 253,000 wreaths were set out throughout the cemetery. The name of each soldier was also read aloud.
Wreaths Across America event here at @ArlingtonNatl has brought thousands of volunteers together to lay wreaths on graves of fallen soldiers. What an honor @WTOP pic.twitter.com/p1X2yjPCM0
— Melissa Howell (@Mhowell003) December 14, 2019
Among the volunteers was Meredith Creswell, who traveled with friends from Maine to participate. She also helped raised money for the event.
“I wanted to come experience it myself. This is my first time so it’s just breathtaking,” she said.
The mission of the event is to honor, remember and teach others about the importance of the sacrifices made by the service members buried at the cemetery.
Boy Scout Troop 1313 from Reston, Virginia, also came to pay a special tribute. Jake Price and Reid Schryer both have grandparents here and were excited to lay wreaths alongside their fellow scouts.
“It’s good to see the massive turnout and how many people care,” Price said.
For Schryer, it’s a reflective moment to remember the men and women now resting at Arlington National.
“I just hope that everyone has a special moment with a soldier,” Schryer said.
