A Day at Arlington

Morning started for us bright and early, excited to finally be part of the activities ahead, we went down to breakfast and realized quickly that the entire hotel restaurant was filled with other volunteers ready to head to Arlington too.  As we finished breakfast, we chatted with others in the lobby, meeting people from all over the country; each here and participating for a different reason.  We left that lobby for our mile or so walk to the Iwo Jima WWII Memorial and beyond that; we would travel another mile, to one of the many access gates to Arlington National Cemetery where we would volunteer in Wreaths Across America Day.

They predicted that the traffic and roads would be impossible due to the sheer numbers of volunteers.   We had no idea until we rounded the corner near the Iwo Jima Memorial what an understatement that would be.   We were shocked and pleased to see hundreds of people filter onto the paths and sidewalks all around us.   As we drew nearer, more and more filtered through all on foot, coming from side streets in every direction, as we looked on we knew we were all headed to the same place for the same reason.  It was to be a day of Honor.

Participating in Wreaths across America has always been an item on my bucket list; from the very first time I saw that Iconic image of wreaths on the bright white stones many years ago.  Each stone and wreath exactly the same.  The names though very individual.   Each for an American veteran that served their country.  The earliest stones are from the Spanish American and Civil War. 

Each service man or woman earning the right to be buried on these sacred grounds.  The thing that struck me most was for the over 400,000 stones honoring American veterans here at Arlington, it's just a fraction of the men and woman who actually served our country.  Veterans like my Dad are buried all over the country in other cemeteries for veterans or in public cemeteries with their families. 

Traveling to the entrance gate this morning we saw trucks as far as the eye could see, each strategically parked to cover a section or two.  We found a spot we liked in a section that was beautiful.  The morning was warm for December it was almost 60 degrees, no need for winter coats, a light dew covered the grass and a thin mist was in the air.  You could hear a pin drop as the multitudes progressed throughout the cemetery.

We saw others waiting by trucks and joined them.  We were about the 10th people in line.   We chatted, introduced ourselves to other volunteers and talked about the process, the place; the wreaths and eventually the reason each of us were there.  Each stone at Arlington has as story as do the volunteers that participate in this ceremony.  For me: my Dad was a Korean War Veteran, I travelled here with my children and a friend from home.  She also had a story.  She is the daughter, sister, mother, grandmother and wife of veterans: she was there to honor those buried here and show her respect too.  

We met a gentleman with three generations of his family buried within the gates of Arlington and a Mother whose son and daughter in law are actively serving.  She honors Gold Star Families by creating hand quilted flags for families to honor the loved ones they lost in the service of their country.

The entire time we waited, we chatted and the people just kept coming.  Our group of 10 had grown by 9am to almost 300.  We waited for the official word from far on the other side of the cemetery that the opening ceremonies were complete.  We waited for our que to begin, for the truck to open, for the placement of wreaths to commence. 

As our driver and coordinators got the word to begin, we heard the hum of helicopters above, the President does a fly over each year furthering signaling the beginning of the actives and with that, the massive tractor trailer door opened to boxes and boxes of neatly packed wreaths with beautiful red ribbons.  The smell of the pine was incredible.  One by one the boxes were opened and two by two the wreaths were distributed.  Methodically and with great organization, we began placing the wreaths. 

We were instructed to stop, read the stone, take a moment to visit and reflect on each veteran and remember them.  As we placed wreaths, remembered veterans and surveyed the wreath laying progress, we fell speechless.  Watching the constant organized stream of volunteers place their wreaths, then respectfully straighten each bow, say the veteran's name aloud and in many cases the phrase "Thank you for your service" was spoken out loud.  

It was awe inspiring.

The four of us stood after placing two wreaths each, thinking that the line of now well over 500 volunteers would place the remainder of what was in the truck.  We watched volunteers placing them two by two.  As we watched, we quickly realized that it would take many more trips by us and everyone else gathered in our area to complete the job of emptying our truck full of wreaths.  We went to the back of the fast moving line and got two more; we placed them, read the stone and took a moment to remember each veteran.  We made 5 trips through that line today in just over one and a half hours still reading every veteran's stone and stopping to appreciate each section as it was completed.

We honored the infant children of veterans in one entire section.  Saw stones from the Spanish American War, Civil War, WWI, WWII, Vietnam, Korea, Afghanistan and Iraq and more.  Too many to read, too many veterans to comprehend.  It was a somber but celebratory atmosphere. 

To be simply said: 

Today we were Respectful, Joyful but most of all Thankful for the service of our veterans and the sacrifices their families have faced; be it a lost life or time lost while they were away from home. - Remember our veterans and those that support them.  

Educate your children and share history with them.

Teach them to honor and respect the freedom they enjoy

and so many take for granted.  

Wishing you Happy Holidays, God Bless our Veterans and God Bless America.  ~ Trish