Wreaths Across America

CIMG0790

Remember. Honor. Teach. That is the mission of the annual Wreaths Across America event which just occurred on December 11, 2010. On that day over 100,000 fresh holiday wreaths were laid on the graves of American veterans from all branches of service at over 150 National and State cemeteries around the U.S. and overseas. A ceremony was held here in the Bay Area at the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, between El Camino Real and I-280.

This event started in 1992. Morrill Worcester, a holiday wreathmaker in Maine, had a surplus so he brought 5,000 wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia and laid them on graves. The striking image captured national attention so the effort continued every year and grew. In 2009 the Wreaths Across America non-profit foundation was formed and now covers every military cemetery.

We weren’t able to attend the early morning ceremony but my family had occasion to be up that way later that afternoon so we stopped by the cemetery to view the wreaths. I’ve driven by it many times on I-280 and have always been humbled by the sight of the orderly rows of white tombstones as far as the eye can see. This was my first time inside.

We weren’t sure where to go so we drove around, taking it all in. At first we only saw a few wreaths scattered among graves. My guess is they were placed there deliberately by family members of the deceased. Finally we found the chapel. In the burial section adjacent every grave had a wreath. I expect that was the focal point of the ceremony. I parked and took several photos and reflected on the service and sacrifice of the men and women honored there. The festive scent of the freshly cut balsam wreaths added warmth to the stark white marble tombstones and the cold ground.

Ironically the wreaths covered up most of the info on the the tombstones. I could read names, but not service information or birth or death dates. That made it impossible to determine the context of the section. Were these all soldiers, or eligible family members? Were they killed in action, or did they die after completing their service? In the end I think it didn’t matter. Every person buried there was a distinct individual with his or her own unique existence, but the act of laying the holiday wreaths temporarily erased their differences, highlighting the sacrifices they all made which now unite them. The community came together to lay each wreath indiscriminately.  Children are often involved, providing a teaching opportunity. It was a day of grace on which we, the people, could remember and honor them, our armed forces. Mission accomplished.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.