Wreaths Across America honors fallen service members at Arlington National Cemetery

ARLINGTON, Va. (Gray DC) - Tens of thousands of people bundled up and waited hours in the cold Saturday to participate in the annual Wreaths Across America event at Arlington National Cemetery, placing holiday wreaths on the graves of fallen service members.

In just a few hours, Arlington National Cemetery transformed from rows of white headstones to a garden of red and green wreaths.

“For people to come out and want to pay that honor and respect, it means a lot,” said Karen Durham-Aguilera, executive director of Arlington National Cemetery.

The annual event draws tens of thousands to Arlington and cemeteries across the U.S. to place wreaths as reminders and expressions of gratitude for fallen service members.

“To think that people care enough during the busiest time of year, it’s pretty special,” said Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America.

Worcester’s family began the tradition as a way to educate people and connect the past with the present.

“Our mission is not just about those who have fallen, it’s for the living. That they can take this piece of history and teach their children about courage and valor,” Worcester said.

For volunteers, each grave brings its own ceremony. They physically place the wreath, read out the name, tell the person’s story and honor their sacrifice.

The tradition has become an annual event for thousands of people honoring friends, family or strangers, united under one flag.

“People show up and provide our veterans and our armed services members really the respect that they deserve,” Durham-Aguilera said.

This year, more than 260,000 wreaths were placed on headstones and grave sites in Arlington alone, joining 6,000 events worldwide as a way to include everyone this holiday season through an act of service for those who served.

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